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The January transfer window officially shut at the end of January and clubs around Europe are now only allowed to bolster their squads by signing free agents.
The transfer window this January was a lot more exciting than usual winter transfer windows, with several high profile players seeking new employers. While a few of the players were coaxed into longer stays with their current employers, a few players managed to find themselves to be free agents, with no clubs to play for.
However, these players continue to strengthen and develop their skills working individual training sessions to improve and hopefully get employed as quickly as possible.
On that note, here we take a look at 5 former Premier League players who are currently free agents:
#5 Alex Song
Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, Alex Song left former employers Rubin Kazan on the final day of the January transfer window. The Cameroonian is currently a free agent and unemployed.
The 30-year-old holding midfielder is a great reader of the game and has an excellent passing range that could suit many a club in need of a possession-centred footballer.
With great positional skill, coupled with great composure and the ability to break up play and create attacks, Song is a top professional who will be on the radar of many clubs vying for his services. Song began his career with FC Bastia in France before moving to England and playing for Arsenal and West Ham, and is currently reportedly training with the Gunners in a bid to maintain his form.
#4 Jan Kirchhoff
Former Bayern Munich and Sunderland holding midfielder, Jan Kirchhoff has been without a club since July of 2017, when he left The Black Cats. The German did not have an impressive season at Sunderland, as the club were relegated from the Premier League.
Kirchhoff began his professional career with Mainz before securing a huge move to Bayern Munich, where he made just 12 appearances over 2 seasons.
The German did impress during his time at Bayern but was deemed as surplus to requirements at the club, after failing to cement his place in the star-studded team. The 27-year-old midfielder is a strong passer of the ball with great positional sense and creative ability in tight spaces.
Despite clubs not going for the player in the January transfer window, Kirchhoff could be a good option in midfield for some struggling Premier League team. The German would provide stability and balance to a side in his holding role and could have many suitors if he can prove his fitness and strength to come back after a year away from the game.
#3 Marouane Chamakh
Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace forward, Marouane Chamakh has been without a club since December 2016, when he was released by Cardiff City, who had signed the Moroccan striker as a free agent after he left Crystal Palace in 2016.
Currently, without a club, Chamakh hasn't found employment elsewhere, and the 34-year-old is still hunting for new employers.
The lean, mean goal scoring young striker Chamakh began his career with Bordeaux and later joined Arsenal and began his time very well. Although as the season went on, his performances dipped and goals were hard to come by for Chamakh, who subsequently lost out on his place in the squad.
A smart striker with good aerial ability, Chamakh imposed himself well initially even at Palace, but his performances faded and he never cemented a spot in the team. However, with good positional sense, the player creates scoring chances and could be picked up by a club as he still possesses goalscoring prowess.
#2 Anderson
Former Manchester United midfielder, Anderson left Internacional in the January transfer window and is also currently in search of new employers. The former Premier League and Champions League winner is an experienced player in the middle of the park with fantastic game controlling ability.
With a great range of passing and the ability to hit a killer pass to break open a defence, the Brazilian playmaker is an elite level competitor. Anderson spent seven seasons at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, and enjoyed a trophy-laden stint with the club.
After spells with Fiorentina, Internacional and Coritiba, the player has struggled to find some his best form that he displayed for United. Still only 29-years-old, Anderson will have to better his performances and find a club to continue what could have been a stellar career.
Niggling injuries and inadequate game-time took a big toll on the player, as he strives to continue his career and journey as a professional footballer.
#1 Samir Nasri
Former Arsenal and Manchester City playmaker, Samir Nasri is currently without a club after he called an end to his stay with Turkish side Antalyaspor towards the end of January.
The former Premier League winner with Manchester City left the Citizens at the start of the season and moved to Turkey, after spending most of last season on loan at Sevilla. Struggling to find form, the playmaker has to improve his displays on the field to secure a permanent contract with another professional club.
The 30-year-old Frenchman began his career with Marseille before moving to England and signing for Arsenal.
A creative, tricky ballplayer of the highest level on his day, Nasri possesses skills and an eye for the game like no other. With a decent goalscoring record and an excellent assist-per-game ratio, Nasri can still be a potent attacking threat if deployed with the right players in the right system.
