Premier League Stars Over 30: The Contract Dilemma Every Club Faces
It’s the age-old question in football: when is the right time to let go of a star player? For Premier League giants like Liverpool and Manchester City, that question is looming large as some of their biggest names—players who have defined an era—are entering the final six months of their contracts. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Kevin De Bruyne are all facing uncertain futures, and the decisions their clubs make could shape the next few years of English football.
These players are not just household names; they’re legends in the making. Salah, Van Dijk, and De Bruyne have all helped their teams win the biggest trophies in club football and are surefire future Premier League Hall of Famers. But here’s the catch: they’re all in their 30s, and their contracts are ticking down. Salah (32) and Van Dijk (33) are yet to secure new deals at Anfield, while De Bruyne (33) is still waiting to hear if he’ll remain at the Etihad beyond next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
The Aging Stars Conundrum
It’s not just Liverpool and City facing this dilemma. Son Heung-Min (32) is in a similar situation at Tottenham Hotspur, and other players in their 30s across the league are heading into 2025 with no guarantees about their futures. For instance, Harry Maguire (31) and Christian Eriksen (32) are unlikely to get new deals at Manchester United, while Jorginho (32) and Thomas Partey (31) face similar uncertainty at Arsenal.
But the stakes are higher for Liverpool and City. Salah, Van Dijk, and De Bruyne are not just squad players—they’re the backbone of their teams. Salah is joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts with 13 goals this season, and only Bukayo Saka (10) has more assists than Salah’s eight. Van Dijk has been a rock at the back, helping Liverpool to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables. Meanwhile, De Bruyne was just named in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI for 2024. These are players still performing at the highest level, but the question isn’t about now—it’s about the future.
What Clubs Consider Before Renewing Contracts
According to a former Premier League sporting director, the decision to renew a player’s contract in their 30s is a complex one. “There are so many factors at play,” he told ESPN. “How much depth do you have in that area of the squad? Can you find a younger, equally reliable replacement in the market? Should you release a high-performing player now and take a hit for a year while allowing a younger player to settle in? Can the player justify a big salary in 2-3 years’ time?”
Fitness is another critical factor. Salah has missed just 23 games through injury since joining Liverpool in 2017, but 12 of those came last season due to muscle injuries. Is that a sign of things to come? Van Dijk, on the other hand, has missed 77 games since 2018 but has been remarkably fit since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury in 2021. De Bruyne’s situation is more concerning; he’s missed 51 games for club and country since the start of the 2023-24 season, with 170 days lost to hamstring problems.
Timing Is Everything
Getting the timing right is crucial. Manchester United released Raphaël Varane at 31 due to his injury record, and their decision was vindicated when he suffered a career-ending knee injury in his first game for Como. Similarly, City let go of Ilkay Gündogan at 32, and while he returned to the Etihad this summer, he’s struggled to recapture his form.
However, not all players decline in their 30s. Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Lionel Messi (37) are prime examples of longevity, while Robert Lewandowski continues to score at an elite level at 36. On the flip side, players like Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres saw sharp declines after turning 30.
Finding Middle Ground
Ultimately, clubs and players need to find a balance. “These issues can be resolved with pragmatism on both sides,” the former sporting director said. “A player might take a pay cut to stay in the Premier League, while a club might offer a shorter deal to avoid being stuck with an injured 35-year-old on massive wages.”
For Salah, Van Dijk, and De Bruyne, the clock is ticking. Will their clubs trust them to keep delivering, or will they decide it’s time to move on? The answers could define the next chapter of their careers—and the future of their teams.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
