5. Xabi Alonso
Capturing Illarramendi means Real already have a replacement cut from the same Sociedad cloth as Alonso. He already knows what it is like to play Premier League football as the 31-year-old had a highly successful five years at Liverpool between 2004 and 2009. It is Alonso's
former club and old manager at Madrid Mourinho, now in charge at Chelsea that want him. The Spain centurion is out of contract at the Bernabeu this summer and he could negotiate a
free transfer back to the Premier League in January. For the benefit of younger readers, Alonso is a deep-lying playmaker who provides elegant protection in front of the back four through a range of passing rather than crunching tackles. Those qualities served Liverpool well as he helped the Reds to a memorable Champions League triumph in 2005 and lift the FA Cup the following year under Rafa Benitez. Alonso still has a lot to offer despite recent injuries which included the dreaded metatarsal fracture or a broken toe to us non-medical people. He missed both going to the Confederations Cup with Spain and the start of the club season, but has
returned to action in the last week.