I've three players in my team that are aged 24, 25 and 26 at the moment. All three are in the last year of their contact with me and are all high 5 star - however they are all back up to younger players who are even higher 5 star, or just moved over to 6 star.

I won't be renewing their contracts at the end of the season. When I either have nothing left to play for (if I am out of the cups, or can't win/lose the league) I will start trying to sell them. Probably start with getting rid of them from around day 25 otherwise - and if they sell will go players short in the last day of the season, or if they don't sell they will be released for free at the start of next season.

The rest of my players in my team are 19/20 or 21 yr old (One is 22 - but in his second year with me). I doubt more than 2/3 will sign another contract with me as I will sell them on or replace them with better players in their third season. I find working in cycles of 3 seasons is best.

It doesn't pay to be loyal to virtual players in this game. I buy and sell pretty much after a player has played 2/3 seasons for me as even the quickest younger players can not develop faster than the new players when you have promoted.