Football Leagues » Premier League » Out Of Contract Footballers
Out Of Contract Footballers
Out of Contract Footballers
Andy Greeves
Once again there will be hundreds of professional footballers out of contract this summer. Soccerphile builds a team from some of the best players available, or likely to be available, on a free transfer currently.
Brad Friedel - Former USA international Brad Friedel turned 40 this May and a new challenge lies ahead for the veteran goalkeeper who looks set to leave Villa Park when his contract expires at the end of the month. Having been in sparkling form for Aston Villa once again last season and with the experience of 425 Premiership appearances behind him, Friedel is unlikely to struggle to find a new club. Tottenham Hotspur and former club Liverpool are both reportedly interested. As predicted Spurs signed him up.
Pascal Chimbonda - Full-back Pascal Chimbonda has become something of a journeyman during his six years in English football, playing for Wigan Athletic, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and QPR in that time, as well as spending two spells with Tottenham Hotspur. Chimbonda's temperament and team ethic has been questioned in the past, notably when he handed in a transfer request as soon as Wigan's last game of the 2005-2006 season ended. What is undeniable though is that the French international is still a decent defender who could still do a job in the Premier League.
Sol Campbell - In his prime, Sol Campbell was one of the finest central defenders in the world and he made 72 appearances for England. Since leaving Portsmouth in 2009 though, his career appears to have gone slightly off-track and he only made seven appearances for Newcastle United last season in a move that benefitted neither Campbell or the St James' Park club. Campbell proved in a short spell with Arsenal in 2010 that he can still perform at the top level but given his age and wage demands, he would be a gamble for any Premier League club to sign for sure.
Abdoulaye Faye - It was with a heavy heart that Tony Pulis announced the departure of the versatile Senegalese international Abdoulaye Faye from Stoke at the end of the season. Faye was named Player of the Season during the club's first season in the Premier League in 2008-2009 but struggled to make it in to the starting line-up last campaign. A tireless worker, who can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder would represent a good bit of business for one of the newly promoted clubs perhaps?
Lucas Neill - Aussie defender Lucas Neill is no stranger to being a free agent having previously left Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Everton and now Galatasaray on a free transfer. As Australia captain and with 15 years of playing experience in England behind him, Neill could be a sound investment for a Premiership side looking to tighten up their back line.
David Vaughan - Welsh international midfielder David Vaughan was one of a number of success stories during Blackpool's time in the Premier League last season and looks destined to remain in the top division despite the Tangerines' relegation. Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Glasgow Rangers have all expressed an interest in 28-year-old whose current contract expires at the end of June.
Boudewijn Zenden - In terms of a CV, there are few better players available on a free contract this summer than former Dutch international Boudewijn Zenden. The winger has represented the likes of PSV, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Marseille during his 18 years as a professional footballer and was in good form for Sunderland last season on his rare appearances for the Black Cats. The 34-year-old lacks the turn of pace he once had, but with great crossing ability and the eye for scoring spectacular goals, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Zenden stay in the Premier League.
Sebastian Larsson - While many players in this list are approaching the end of their career, Sebastian Larsson is an individual very much in his prime. At 25, the Swedish international midfielder could be one of the best deals of the summer and unsurprisingly there are a host of Premier League clubs interested in his signature. Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland have all reportedly made offers to the player who left Birmingham City following their relegation at the end of the season.
Eidur Gudjohnsen - Since leaving Barcelona in 2009, Eidur Gudjohnsen has had a frustrating time trying to find a club to settle at. He made just nine appearances for Monaco on leaving the Nou Camp and was promptly loaned to Tottenham Hotspur in 2010. Stoke City signed the forward during that summer but his move to the Potteries didn't work out and he was loaned to Fulham earlier this year. Now unattached, Gudjohnsen will surely now be looking for a Premier League club he can call home for at least a couple of years.
Jay Bothroyd - Having made his first England appearance last season and scoring 18 goals in 37 Championship games for Cardiff City, Bothroyd is sure to be a free transfer who is in hot demand this summer. Celtic reportedly lead the chase for the 28-year-old former Arsenal trainee, although a move to the Premier League with Everton could also be a possibility.
John Carew - Following Aston Villa's signing of Darren Bent, John Carew's days at Villa Park always looked numbered. The Norwegian international spent part of the 2010-2011 season on loan at Stoke City and the forward is now available on a free transfer. At 32 and with a fine goal scoring record across Europe behind him, it would be no surprise to see a Premiership team move for Carew this summer - indeed QPR and Blackburn are linked with the player currently.
© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
More Premier League Football News
|
|
|
|