AuthorJeffEyesRimmer Well we are unfortunately coming to the end of the season (in most leagues) and thoughts of the chairmen, managers, players and fans inevitably turn to what could be in store for next season. The big name transfers will grab the headlines and players and their agents will bat their eye lashes at the cashed up clubs looking for a big pay day. However, not all clubs can go and spend $20 million on a new player. Who are the potential best free agents available at the end of year that could add that extra spark to your team? Below are few players that are coming out of contract that could improve teams from relegation fodder to tittle challengers. Yaya Toure (Man City)
Toure leads a long line of outfield players that are out of contract at the end of the season at Manchester City including Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna. To be honest all those players could be on this list as all could be decent acquisition’s for smaller sides. This is the first season in Peps career that he will end a season without a trophy so I wouldn’t be surprised to see all those players leaving as well. Toure started the season very much out of favour, his agent’s comments were not helpful during that period and it seemed likely Toure would be on his way out of the Etihad. However, he seemed to have got his head down and fought his way back into first team contention and has to date made 17 appearances this season and contributing with 4 goals. While the dynamism and box to box runs are no longer as frequent he can provide some quality to teams likely not to challenge for the title. I expect a move to China is on the cards though. Mario Balotelli (Nice) The 26 year old Italian seems to have found a good home at Nice this season. Hes scored 13 goals in 17 appearances so far this season. The one year contract given to him by Nice was really his last chance and he taken it well. There are some issues still, Balotelli has 3 red cards this season, but the evidence is there from this season to show that when hes focused on football he is a good player. Nice have had a fantastic season this year and it might be difficult to keep Super Mario on the south coast of France. However, while there is likely to be offers I think Balotelli should stay at Nice for at least another season, see if he can produce over the course of a couple of seasons. Keisuke Honda (AC Milan) One of the greatest Japanese players of all time and still only 30 it has not gone very well at AC Milan for him. He has only made 5 sub appearances this season and 1 full start and none of those appearances yielded any goals. However, the quality is there, that’s been proven previously at club level and for his country. Rumours were that the Seattle Sounders were first in line to sign him but surely there are teams in more competitive leagues in Europe that would be interested in bringing in the attacking midfielder, I think several EPL teams would be keen on his services. John Terry (Chlesea) While I am no fan of John Terry as a person there is no doubting he was a fantastic defender. Past is best years now but certainly still a player that could add experience to a team lower down the league. Rumours around Bournemouth being interested in Terry seem sensible and it would seem to be a good option for both parties. Terry hasn’t played much football this year, slowly being phased out by Conte and when he has played he has looked a shadow of his former self but theres potential for him to rediscover a bit of form lower down the league where the blowtorch is not as strong as at the title contenders. Sead Kolasinac (Schalke) Sead Kolasinac is the youngest player on this list at 23 and the one that most teams should be looking at. The last free transfer player that came to the EPL from Schalke was Joel Matip and he hasn’t done that badly at Liverpool. The Bosnian- Herzegovinian left back has made 23 appearances for Schalke this season, contributing with 3 goals and 5 assists as well. That all adds up to an average rating of 7.43, not too bad at all. Arsenal are rumoured to be interested in the player and he certainly will provide better competition and cover for Monreal than Gibbs. Iker Casillas (Porto) Although now 35 there certainly will be plenty of teams interested in the Spanish goalkeeping legend. A calm head that has won everything in the game could certainly improve plenty of team’s goalkeeping options. Although he hasn’t had the best of season at Porto this year I’m sure there are plenty of teams back in Spain interested in the shot stopper. Pepe (Real Madrid) The controversial defender divides opinion but you don’t play for Real Madrid for 7 seasons without having some quality. Has played fewer games this season due to injury but in 13 appearances this season has made an average of 5.2 clearances, 1.2 tackles and 1.7 interceptions, not bad at all for the 34 year old. Manchester City has shown some interest in bringing the Portuguese player in, he certainly would add experience to a backline that panics whenever the ball is near the box. Miguel Veloso (Genoa) After helping Portugal to the European 2016 Championship the 30 year old hasn’t had the best of seasons with Genoa. Overall Genoa hasn’t had the best of seasons though, at the time of writing they are in 16th position in Serie A, two positions above the relegation zone. That being said Veloso does add steal to a team and would likely be welcomed into most middle tier teams across Europe. If he were to leave Genoa at the end of the season I wouldn’t be surprised to see plenty of teams competing for his signature. Some other notable players that are off contract this year and will have a number of suitors include Santi Carzola, Lucas Leiva, Adrian and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Who else is out of contract this year that you think could be a good bargain? Let us know. |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
Categories
All
|