Free to a good home: Here are the gold stars available for nothing in the summer (and others who'd be worth a punt)
By RIK SHARMA
You don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money in the transfer window to bring some top talent to your club.
In fact, there are plenty of players in the Premier League who will be available on a free transfer this summer - if you know where to look.
Sportsmail has rounded up all the players whose contracts will expire at the end of the season and evaluated their worth to any prospective top flight suitors.
SOLID GOLD
Veterans: Frank Lampard (left) and Rio Ferdinand (right) still have plenty to offer at the top level
FRANK LAMPARD - He's just hit his 200th goal for Chelsea and is still a fine player. Doesn't control games like he did in his peak but his fitness is still strong and he is a valuable central midfielder. Playing slightly out of position this season (sitting in front of the defence), he has still turned in good performances. A fantastic example and influence for youth players too. If another English side can persuade him to move before he takes the LA Galaxy plunge, they won't regret it.
RIO FERDINAND - Has his detractors because of his behaviour - his shove on Fernando Torres and sarcastic clap of a referee are examples - but when he has played this year he's been impressive. He has injury problems as demonstrated by his recent withdrawal from England duty, but manage him right and you have a superb centre back. In truth, he and John Terry should still be the duo in front of Joe Hart for England. Picking up Ferdinand would be a wise move for any side with lofty ambitions.
Teacher: Paul Scholes has plenty which young players can learn from him... but will he retire?
PAUL SCHOLES - Still a classy central midfielder and excellent role model for younger players, but likely to retire at the end of the season.
WORTH A PUNT
Ups and downs: At times Kolo Toure (left) and Chris Brunt (right) have been outstanding - at others, frustrating
KOLO TOURE - The Manchester City defender had been out of favour for a long time at the Etihad but returned to Roberto Mancini's starting XI before Christmas and has coped well in Vincent Kompany's absence. As long as he doesn't demand too high a wage or become too complacent, he is still a reasonable defender.
CHRIS BRUNT - He's not been quite as impressive as usual this season, but the Northern Irishman has a hammer of a left foot. If you played with him it might be frustrating, given that he likes to shoot from all sorts of angles, but when one flies in - and they do - you'll be glad to have him on your side.
Good option: Brede Hangeland (left) is a solid defender - even if he's not been as good this season
BREDE HANGELAND - This season at Fulham he's not reached the heights of previous campaigns and seems to has lost his goal threat, but still worth a shot.
JUSSI JAASKELAINEN - Been on a steady decline since his halcyon days at Bolton in early Noughties, but still capable of putting in sublime displays as he has shown at times for West Ham.
FRANCO DI SANTO - Progressed at Wigan much further than expected after leaving Chelsea. His scoring rate is still questionable but he's a handful for defences.
THE REST
Jan Mucha (currently at Everton), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Mladen Petric (Fulham), Chris Baird (Fulham), Artur Boruc (Southampton), Ryan Shotton (Stoke City), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Boaz Myhill (West Brom), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan)
IF YOU'RE DESPERATE
Mixed: Lukasz Fabianski is capable of a howler, while Richard Dunne is well acquainted with his own goal
LUKASZ FABIANSKI - Behind Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal pecking order, Fabianski will want to leave in the summer. Arsenal are hunting for a new goalkeeper and he needs to develop his career elsewhere. At 27 he needs to play week in, week out.
RICHARD DUNNE - Not played at all this season because of injury, but adamant he still has time left at he top. Paul Lambert is hopeful he will play for Villa again, but when he finally recovers he should find a Premier League home, even if he's battling relegation with a promoted side.
Stalwart: Phil Neville (left) has not played well recently but has valuable experience and is versatile
PAULO FERREIRA - Ever-reliable, but now 34 years old, the Portuguese right back is likely to leave Chelsea in the summer. One of Jose Mourinho's first signings, he has been with the club since 2004. He's rarely featured since 2011, but when called in to action has been decent. He may choose to retire, or could be a reasonable squad option for a side in need.
PHIL NEVILLE - In poor form for Everton of late, but Neville, 36, is extremely versatile and could offer experience to a promoted side. However, he may opt to abandon his playing career if the right coaching opportunity arises.
THE REST
Yossi Benayoun (currently at Chelsea), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Everton), Danny Simpson (Newcastle United), Jermaine Pennant (Stoke), Steven Reid (West Brom), Zoltan Gera (West Brom), Gary O’Neil (West Ham), Winston Reid (West Ham), Emmerson Boyce (Wigan).
STEER CLEAR
Sulkers? Andrey Arshavin (left) and William Gallas (right) have dubious reputations
ANDREY ARSHAVIN - He cost Arsenal £15m and bar his first season, has been incredibly disappointing. One reason for his poor form was Arsene Wenger playing him out of position, but fans also castigated him for being lazy. Has a lot of natural talent, but not the right attitude to match. Will be expensive and a danger to squad morale. Beware.
WILLIAM GALLAS - Frankly quite shoddy now, but at the peak of his career Gallas was untouchable - one of the finest defenders in the history of the Premier League. But now he is creaky, injury prone, slow and simply, not good enough for Tottenham any more. Any team foolish enough to pay the high wages he will likely demand deserves him.
The shadow: Florent Malouda was a fine player but he lost his speed and flair and has spent a year doing nothing
FLORENT MALOUDA - He has been mistreated by Chelsea, sent to play with the youth team and reserves. He helped the club to the double with numerous goals and played in the Champions League triumph. But the reason he was viewed as expendable was because he had become ineffective. For a winger he was too slow, not strong enough, and he didn't have enough heart. That is unlikely to have changed in an entire year out of action.
MAHAMADOU DIARRA - Not a bad player, when he's on the pitch instead of the treatment table. Unlikely to play for Fulham again this season because of a knee problem that will likely need surgery. There are plenty of other, more reliable options out there.
THE REST
Sebastien Squillaci (currently at Arsenal), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Andy Marshall (Aston Villa), Henrique Hilario (Chelsea), Ross Turnbull (Chelsea), Neil Etheridge (Fulham), Georgios Karagounis (Fulham), Simon Davies (Fulham), Richard Wright (Manchester City), Marc Tierney (Norwich), Simeon Jackson (Norwich), Korey Smith (Norwich), Lee Camp (Norwich), Clint Hill (QPR), Brian Murphy (QPR), Radek Cerny (QPR), Tal Ben Haim (QPR), Simon Church (Reading), Noel Hunt (Reading), Ian Harte (Reading), Brynjar Gunnarsson (Reading), Stuart Taylor (Reading), Alex Pearce (Reading), Frazer Richardson (Southampton), Richard Chaplow (Southampton), Carlo Nash (Stoke), Dean Whitehead (Stoke), Matthew Kilgallon (Sunderland), Dwight Tiendalli (Swansea), Marc-Antoine Fortune (West Bromwich Albion), Mike Pollitt (Wigan), Titus Bramble (Wigan), Ronnie Stam (Wigan), Piscu (Wigan) Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan), Albert Crusat (Wigan)
0 komentar:
Post a Comment