With the Premier League transfer window shutting earlier than usual this season and the European deadline set to pass in one weeks time, many football fans may be forgiven for thinking that this is your lot. For those teams that have encountered early injury issues or just had a less than impressive start to proceedings, the season already looks like it’s going a long and arduous journey.
Many Premier League teams spent big this summer, think West Ham, Fulham, Everton, while others like Burnley and Huddersfield went for a more modest recruitment strategy and while it’s still very early days, many will be questioning whether their team has what it takes to really compete.
And as the Championship and lower divisions make fools of early season optimists, and managers jobs already under threat, maybe it’s time look at the free agents available, to offer a dose of experience, pad out a thin or injury-ravaged group.
And with that in mind, we had a look at the best footballers in Europe currently without a home or a fan to sing their name/hurl abuse at. Here are the best free agents currently doing the rounds.
Diego Cavalieri
Of all the free agents out there, Cavalieri is in quite a strong position as he’s pretty much the only Goalkeeper of any substance. Had a spell at Palace last season and at the age of 35 still has a few miles in the clock. Linked with Man City after Bravo’s injury, but that move seems unlikely.
Glen Johnson
Struggled for game time last season at Stoke, but surely the former international can get a gig somewhere. Might not be the marauding full-back he once was, but with huge experience has a lot to offer a Championship club? Wages might be an issue.
Robert Huth
Three-time Premier League winner Huth suffered injury problems in his last season at Leicester, but this giant German could shore up the leaky backline of many a leaky defence across Europe. At 34 he could have one last hurrah in the tank, might be just what Mourinho is looking for!
Jan Kirchhoff
Centre-back Jan Kirchoff helped stave off relegation for Sunderland after signing for big Sam in Jan 2016. A short spell at Bolton followed with the German making just 4 appearances before his contract came to an end. At just 27 you’d think there was still a chance to resurrect the defender’s career.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Complex man of the people Assou-Ekotto was last seen turning out for Metz. The man who once claimed football is not a passion just a job, was also reportedly set to start a career in pornography, at least according to Harry Redknapp. Playing days are probably behind him.
Yaya Toure
Wages aside – and by the way, they’re some big wages – Toure is still a top class operator. Was linked with West Ham in the summer but so was everyone else, definitely still capable of mixing it at the top level, surely China or the US will end up being the next stop for Yaya.
Alberto Aquilani
The prodigal son of Rome, and one-time outstanding talent Aquilani who many will remember as the unlikely man to fill the boots of Xabi Alonso at Liverpool managed to in some way get his career back on track in Italy.
Suffered relegation with Las Palmas last time out and looking for one last roll of the dice.
Claudio Marchisio
Now, this is a name that makes you sit up and take notice. It’s a surprise nobody in the Premier League has yet taken a serious look at Marchisio.
A midfielder with great versatility, vision, and outstanding technique, you don’t spend 20 plus years at Juventus by chance. Could be a great signing for bottom half Premier League sides.
Youssouf Mulumbu
Just finished a stint with Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock and now looking for a club, the midfield general 31 might still have a few miles on the clock and could be a decent addition to a championship side in need of some experience.
Hatem Ben Arfa
Everyone will know the talent Ben Arfa had from his time at Newcastle, unfortunately, he’s never quite fulfilled his potential.
The former French international has just been released by Paris Saint Germain after the side won the treble. At only 31 you’d think there was still a chance for a move somewhere.
Gabby Agbonlahor
It seems like a long time since the pacey forward was causing mayhem in the Premier League and after 17 years at his boyhood club Aston Villa the 31-year-old still has his eye on playing in the Championship, likely to be snapped up.
Subs:
John Terry – Surely that ship has sailed now.
Micah Richards – What a talent this man was, hard to know what went wrong – set to be released by Villa and still only 30.
Claudio Yacob – Once formed a solid midfield partnership with Mulumbu at West Brom.
Matthieu Flamini – Former Arsenal man recently seen at Palace, played 8 times for Getafe last season.
Wes Hoolahan – There must be work in the lower leagues for this Norwich City legend.
Darren Bent – Might be a worth a punt in League 1.
Notable Mentions – Gareth McAuley, Patrice Evra, Stephen Ireland, Christopher Samba, Dimitar Berbatov, Nilmar.
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