Cristiano Ronaldo went down memory lane at Real Madrid after stormy Man United exit, while 35-year-old Jonny Evans is back at Old Trafford and Ryan Bertrand at Chelsea… the football stars who returned to old haunts
- Ryan Bertrand returns after release to train with Chelsea’s development group
- Bertrand joins a host of footballers who have return to train with former clubs
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Jesse Lingard and Jonny Evans returns to familiar places
The Premier League is a ruthless place where players can be sold, loaned or released at a moment’s notice, but amidst the chaos of finding a new side many players turn to their old clubs.
Footballers may return to their old haunts to keep their fitness up while they weigh up options on their next career move.
And after former Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand returned to Cobham to train this summer, Mail Sport takes a look at some of the other players who have recently rolled back the years and returned to train with their former sides.
Ryan Bertrand
Ryan Bertrand was released by Leicester City in June 2023 and has since returned to train with Chelsea’s loan development group.
The former England international made just 11 appearances for the Foxes last season as he battled with recovery from knee surgery that ruled him out for 16 months.
Now without a club, Bertrand returned to Chelsea where he won the Champions League in 2012 starting as a left winger in their historic win on penalties over Bayern Munich.
Ryan Bertrand came through the Chesea academy to make 57 appearances for the senior side
Bertrand joined Leicester to play under Brendan Rodgers – who coached him at youth level
Bertrand went on to make 57 appearances for the club and won the Europa League and FA Cup with the Blues before moving to Southampton.
After a successful stint on the south coast, making 240 appearances and scoring eight goals, the left back reunited with former Chelsea youth team coach Brendan Rodgers at Leicester in 2021.
The 34-year-old is said to be considering interest from England, Europe and the Middle East ahead of his next career choice.
Jonny Evans
Another former Leicester player who is now back training with their old club is Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans.
Evans came through the academy at Manchester United before making 198 senior appearances, winning the Premier League three times, two league cups and the Champions League.
This summer, the central defender signed a short term deal at United to maintain his fitness levels after leaving the Foxes.
Jonny Evans has featured frequently in Manchester United’s pre-season games and training
The tall central defender has impress boss Erik Ten Hag and may be offered a new deal
Evan’s spent five seasons in the Midlands, winning the 2021 FA Cup, but the former West Brom centre back’s contract ran out in June 2023.
However it seems after training and playing with United’s first team in pre-season, Evans has impressed boss Erik Ten Hag enough to possibly be offered a short-term contract.
A permanent return for the Northern Irishman could spell the end of Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, particularly after being stripped of the club captaincy.
Maguire has been linked with a move away from United throughout the summer, with West Ham reportedly agreeing a £30m deal for the England International only for the 30-year-old to show a reluctance to leave Old Trafford unless he received a pay out.
Jesse Lingard
Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has also returned to an old haunt this summer after being released by Nottingham Forest.
Lingard has been training with West Ham after making just 20 appearances in all competitions for Forest last season.
The former England International spent an enjoyable half a season on loan with the Hammers in the 2021-22 season, recording an impressive nine goals and five assists in just 16 Premier League Appearances as the Hammers finished the season in sixth.
Jesse Lingard made just 20 appearances in all competitions at Nottingham Forest last season
Lingard enjoyed a short but sweet campaign with West Ham, helping the side to finish sixth
Lingard left Manchester United after coming through the academy, making 232 appearances in all competitions and scoring 35 goals.
He joined Forest last year on a one-year deal worth nearly £200,000-per-week, but suffered with injury setbacks and blew hot and cold at the City Ground.
After being released, the 30-year-old was training in America at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK facility, which fuelled rumours of a potential link-up with Lionel Messi but nothing materialised.
While early reports hinted at a possible short term contract for Lingard, David Moyes recently told Sky Sports that no deal was being considered at the moment.
Cristiano Ronaldo
After leaving Manchester United in 2022, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as fancied a trip down memory lane as he trained with Real Madrid before his move to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo left United by mutual consent after numerous off-field issues including the infamous interview with Piers Morgan.
Finding himself without a club, the then 37-year-old headed out to Real Madrid’s facilities in Valdebebas to maintain his fitness levels.
Cristiano Ronaldo had an incredible career in Madrid where he won five Champions Leagues
Ronaldo joined Manchester United for £19.4m in 2021 but it proved an ill-fated spell
Ronaldo left Madrid after nine trophy-laden years to play for Serie A side Juventus where he registered 101 goals in 134 appearances.
He rejoin Manchester United in 2021 for a reported fee of £19.4m, with the veteran smashing in 24 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions in the 2021-22 season.
However relations soured between the Portuguese and the club, resulting in the mutual termination of his contract.
Ronaldo now plies his trade for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and has since been joined by a plethora or former Premier League players including Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Kalidou Koulibaly and Jordan Henderson.
Jay Spearing
Last but very much not least is former Liverpool, Bolton and Tranmere midfielder Jay Spearing, who rejoined Liverpool’s Under-21 squad in June 2022.
The 34-year-old rejoined the Reds after spending his youth in Merseyside, coming through the academy and making 55 appearances for the first team.
Spearing spent 15 years at Liverpool, playing in the FA Cup final at Wembley and picking up a League Cup winners’ medal in 2012.
After some initial loans at Leicester and Bolton, Spearing joined the Wanderers permanently in 2013 and spent four years there.
Jay Spearing came through Liverpool’s academy to make 55 appearances for the senior side
As well as Liverpool, Spearing spent time at Blackburn, Bolton, Blackpool and Tranmere
As well as Bolton, Spearing spent a season on loan at Blackburn Rovers before spending another season at Bolton and joining Blackpool then Tranmere Rovers.
After nine years away, Spearing returned to Merseyside as a player-coach in their academy.
He now takes charge of the Under-18s and pulled on the red kit once again to feature in some Under-21 games in 2022.
All these players have returned to train and play at their old sides and with the transfer window yet to close, more footballers may decide a return to the comments of old might just be what they need.
Source: Read Full Article
