Fenerbahce build incredible ex-Premier League XI that could challenge Man City for European spot
Fenerbahce have assembled a super team of former Premier League stars that would challenge for a top seven spot in England – on one condition.
The Turkish giants seem to have adopted a unique transfer method in recent years in their quest to win a first Super Lig title since 2014.
Have they played in the Premier League? Yes.
That seems to be the transfer strategy being used by the Istanbul outfit having snapped up some Premier League greats.
Incredibly, Fenerbahce could name a starting XI comprised of footballers that have featured in England’s top-flight.
And that is exactly what talkSPORT.com has done, knocking up a line-up with players racking up a combined 1,511 outings and 181 goals.
A whopping 12 Premier League titles have also been won between the squad members included.
But there is a caveat with the line-up, while some players are yet to hit their prime, others are well past it due to age and loss of form.
Where would Fenerbahce finish in the Premier League?
With that the case, those that are no longer performing at their peak level are being judged as if they were still in their prime.
Factoring that in, the Fenerbahce XI has a genuine chance of battling Manchester City for a top seven spot.
The Citizens have been backed to finish below Brighton and Brentford in the upcoming Premier League campaign amid their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
It promises to be a campaign of transition for City, who along with seeing a change in the dugout following Pep Guardiola‘s exit, have parted ways with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Ake.
Coincidentally, Ake is one of two City icons currently on Fenerbahce’s books, with the Yellow Canaries raiding the Etihad last summer to first bring in goalkeeper Ederson.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the all-Premier League Fenerbahce XI in a 4-3-3 formation that would battle for Europe.
Who would start at the back for Fenerbahce?
Ederson, regarded as one of the Premier League’s best ever goalkeepers, would feature between the sticks.
From his eight years at City, he missed just 27 top-flight matches – winning the Golden Glove three times.
The Brazilian was also named in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions, and was voted the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper in 2023.
Slotting in at right-back is two-time LaLiga winner Nelson Semedo, who spent five years at Wolves between 2020-2025.
His form at Molineux saw him maintain his place in Portugal’s national squad, with the defender involved in both of their two Nations League triumphs.
On the opposite side of the back four is Ake, with the versatile Dutchman regularly used in the position by Guardiola.
Having also impressed for Bournemouth after coming up through Chelsea‘s academy, Ake established himself as formidable warrior on the pitch.
Injuries may have limited the 31-year-old to 177 games in his six years at City, but his importance in the side was shown having started in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan three years ago.
Despite Milan Skriniar being a star player in the heart of defence for Fenerbahce, he loses his place in the talkSPORT XI having not played in the Premier League.
A centre-back pairing would then consist of ex-Aston Villa man Diego Carlos and former Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu.
Carlos spent two-and-a-half-years at Villa Park – notably helping the Midlands outfit finish fourth in the 2023/24 campaign – their highest finish since 1996.
As for Soyuncu, he was on Leicester’s books for five years – helping the Foxes win the FA Cup and Community Shield – while also playing a part in two fifth-placed finishes.
Who will be in midfield for Fenerbahce?
Moving onto the middle of the pitch, and N’Golo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi and Sofyan Amrabat will form the midfield three.
Kante – widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation – won Premier League titles at both Chelsea and Leicester.
Boasting a wealth of experience, the 2017 PFA Player of the Year winner finished below fifth spot just once during his eight years in England.
Guendouzi meanwhile enjoyed two seasons of Premier League action at Arsenal, where he was tipped to be a future captain having quickly become a firm fan favourite.
But he was ushered out the door by Mikel Arteta after falling out of favour – stemming from his infamous last outing against Brighton in June 2020 which allegedly saw him brag about his wages to the opposition, as well as throttling Neal Maupay.
Amrabat, who featured in 21 Premier League games on loan at Manchester United in the 2023/24 season, completes the midfield.
Who is in attack for Fenerbahce?
Slotting in on the right wing is Marco Asensio, who spent the second half of the 2024/25 term on loan at Aston Villa.
The 30-year-old, who won three Champions League titles at Real Madrid, was an instant hit for the Villans – chipping in with eight goals and one assist from 21 games across all competitions.
On the opposite flank will be Mason Greenwood, who joined Fenerbahce from Marseille in a deal rising to £38.4m.
From his two seasons in France, he banged in 48 goals – being the joint-winner of the Ligue 1 Golden Boot in the 2024/25 season – before being named in the Team of the Season the following campaign.
Coming up through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, the 24-year-old fired in 35 goals for the Red Devils before his permanent switch to the Stade Velodrome in 2024.
And leading the line is Everton’s all-time Premier League top scorer Romelu Lukaku [68 goals], who sits in 22nd spot in the all-time division scoring charts.
As well as for the Toffees, Lukaku also found the back of the net in England for Chelsea, United and West Brom.
Incredibly, he reached double digits in the league in seven consecutive campaigns.
With two Serie A titles to his name at Inter Milan and Napoli, Fenerbahce secured the 33-year-old’s services in a £8.5m package deal last week.
What do fans think of Fenerbahce’s ex-Premier League squad?
Fans on social media have also been taken aback by Fenerbahce’s transfer model in turning to players that have competed in England.
One X user said: “This is a Top 7 Premier League team quality.”
Another supporter meanwhile boldly predicted they would finish higher, posting: “With the technical ability from this team, third place guaranteed for them in Premier League.”
A third added: “This line-up I’m seeing here should be extremely strong.”
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