When the winter and summer transfer windows open, it’s a time of excitement for football fans. There’s the constant speculation, rumours and names bandied about that generates massive coverage.
There are discussions on what players are needed to strengthen certain weak spots in the team and what players are ‘deadwood’ and need to be sold. And of course, when the signing does eventually take place, the frenzy and the excitement is at a maximum.
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Free-agents or ‘bosman transfers’ are a part and parcel of football these days, with experienced internationals, league winners and decorated players often playing major roles in smaller clubs or players running out their contract to move to a bigger club.
Here, we take a look at some players who will be available on a free after the 2016-17 season and who will undoubtedly add quality to the squad.
Goalkeeper
Adrian
Age: 29
Team: West Ham United
Signed by Sam Allardyce from Betis back in July, 2013, he initially served as backup to Finnish goalkeeper, Jussi Jääskeläinen.
However, he didn’t take very long to establish himself as the number 1, putting in some wonderful performances and walking away with multiple club awards at the end of the season, including ‘Save of the Season’, ‘Signing of the Season’ and ‘Best Individual Performance’.
At the start of this season, he got his first international call-up the Spain squad. With his contract set to expire in June next year, plenty of clubs could do with a shot-stopper of his quality between the sticks.
Alternative: Alex Manninger (Liverpool)
Defenders
Left-back: Gael Clichy
Age: 31
Team: Manchester City
One of the many to switch over from the Emirates to the Etihad, Clichy went on to establish himself as first choice left-back, playing over 30 games in each of his first 4 seasons at the club.
He has managed to collect 2 Premier league titles, 2 League Cups and an FA Community Shield in his stint at City and is also an established France international with 20 caps to his name.
With his current deal running out this summer and still only 31, his experience could definitely find use in any of the top-flight teams.
Alternative: Andrew Robertson (Hull City)
Right-back: Pablo Zabaletta
Age: 31
Team: Manchester City
Zabaleta signed for Manchester City only a day before Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008 and holds a special place in the hearts of City fans. He has been nothing short of a stalwart at the back, being ever-present in the team and helping City clinch 2 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and a FA Community Shield in the past 8 years.
Pep Guardiola doesn’t seem to trust him to the same degree as his predecessors and with his defensive capability having regressed a bit (thanks in no small part due to consistent niggling injuries), a contract extension does not seem very likely.
His experience could prove crucial to any mid-table team fighting it out in the league or to help guide younger talents at the club.
Alternatives: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Stoke City)
Centre-back: Per Mertesacker
Age: 32
Team: Arsenal
Bought by Arsene Wenger from Werder Bremen after the disastrous 8-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford and dubbed a ‘panic buy’, the German was initially deemed to be too slow thanks to his lanky frame, but won fans over by forming an excellent partnership with Laurient Koscielny.
His performances at the heart of the defence during the 2013-14 season, when Arsenal pushed for the title saw him voted into the Premier League Team of the Year.
The current Arsenal captain, Mertesacker has been sidelined this season through injury and if his contract isn’t renewed come the end of the season, plenty of teams could use his experience and leadership at the back.
Centre-back: Branislav Ivanovic
Age: 32
Team: Chelsea
Ivanovic signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008 by Chelsea after beating competition from the likes of Milan, Ajax and Juventus and was given the number 2 shirt vacated by Glen Johnson. He began his career at Chelsea very slowly, not making a single a single appearance for the first-team in the 2007-08 season despite his lofty price tag.
He went on to establish himself in the team, winning almost every club trophy available including the Premier League (twice), FA Cup (thrice), League Cup (once), FA Community Shield (once) and both European trophies (the Champions League in 2011-12 and Europa League in 2012-13).
Ivanovic played all 38 league games in the title winning 2014-15 season, but looks like a shadow of his former self with his game littered with defensive errors. That being said, the winning mentality and never-say-die attitude would not be amiss in any team.
Alternative: Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
Midfielders
Center-midfield: Santi Cazorla
Age: 31
Team: Arsenal
One of the very few in the world who is excellent with both feet, Cazorla was initially signed as an attacking-midfielder/winger from Malaga in 2012. A supremely talented player, he has managed to rack up an impressive 77 caps for Spain in a midfield consisting the likes of Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
The Spaniard was moved to a central-midfield role by Arsene Wenger to make use of his passing range and ability to break the lines.
In the odd scenario that his contract isn’t extended, someone with Cazorla’s skill-set would definitely not look out-of-place in a team fighting it out for the title.
Alternative: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Center-midfield: Yaya Toure
Age: 33
Team: Manchester City
Signed from Barcelona in 2010, Toure can surely stake a claim as one of Manchester City’s legends. The Ivorian has won numerous trophies with Barcelona, City and the Ivorian National team.
His sheer power and aggression has seen him become one of the best midfielders on the planet and in the process, collect a large number of personal accolades.
Simply unstoppable on his day, the Ivory Coast international scored an immense 20 goals from midfield in City’s 2013-14 title winning campaign, only the second midfielder after Frank Lampard to do so.
Now seemingly out of the picture after the antics of his agent, a contract renewal seems unimaginable. Still only 33, he still has a lot to offer to teams who can play to his strengths and will be a valuable addition to almost any squad in the league.
Alternative: Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace)
Right-wing: Robert Snodgrass
Age: 29
Team: Hull City
An ever dependable player, Snodgrass joined Hull City from Norwich 2014, but was immediately sidelined for an entire year after dislocating a knee cap.
The Scotsman scored 5 goals in 29 appearances last season as Hull managed to get promoted to the top-flight via the championship play-offs.
Consistently one of Scotland’s better players, he could bring pace and creativity to any of the clubs fighting it out at the bottom of the league.
Alternative: George Boyd (Burnley)
Left-wing: Chris Brunt
Age: 31
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Cruelly missed out on Northern Ireland’s European adventure after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament, Brunt has been a mainstay in the West Brom side that used to oscillate between the Championship and the Premier League and is now established under Tony Pulis.
The Ulsterman joined West Brom from Sheffield Wednesday in 2007, and has scored 43 goals in 317 appearances for the West Midlands side.
Capable of putting in ferocious crosses and scoring from free-kicks, Brunt is the type of players managers adore – hard-working, always putting in a shift and chipping in with crucial goals.
Brunt could be a very good addition to any side that will want him after his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Alternative: Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City)
Forwards
Striker: Saido Berahino
Age: 23
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Sadio Berahino’s name has been thrown around in transfer rumours for so long it’s easy to forget he’s still only 23.
The Englishman through to the first team in the 2013-14 season as a 20 year old and scored an impressive 9 goals. Berahino had an incredible 2014-15 season, where he scored 20 goals in 45 appearances which saw him the target of a £15 million bid from Tottenham.
Since then, his career seems to have a stagnated, with the rejected bids possibly having had a disruptive influence. However, his contract expires at the end of the season and a change in scenery could well see him regain the form that saw him so heavily in demand.
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Age: 35
Team: Manchester United
A footballing journeyman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s talents cannot be understated. The Swedish striker has amassed an incredible 398 career goals across spells in Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, winning league titles at each of the clubs he has played at.
With the Champions League and Premier League crowns the only ones missing from his glittering trophy cabinet, and with his wonderful scoring record, a move to Manchester United on a one year deal seemed like one befitting all parties.
Having started strongly, scoring the winning goal in the FA Community Shield against Leicester City and also on his Old Trafford debut, he’s on a mini goal-drought of sorts.
Even though he turns 36 next year, Zlatan seems to be aging like wine – very gracefully. His physicality and amazing technique may as well be put to good use at any other Premier League club if United decide not to extend his contract.
Take a look at how they line up in a 4-4-2 formation:
