A total of 123 players were released by Premiership clubs earlier this month- and find themselves looking for new jobs, can they reignite their careers or will they fade away and join the dole queue?
Many are ageing stars like Robert Pires and Sol Campbell who could look to retirement, while once top players like Owen Hargreaves and Jonathan Woodgate have injury records to send most clubs running for the hills.
Others like Bolton’s Johan Elmander have already been snapped up, with the Swede off to play for Galatasaray in Turkey next season.
However there are plenty or bargains still to be had, and agents will be working overtime to find clubs for their players over the coming weeks.
After all, nothing lights up a chairman’s eyes like the words ‘free transfer’.
1) John Carew
The big Norwegian was released by Aston Villa following an unsuccessful loan spell at Stoke where he never really got a consistent run of games- but could the Potters re-sign him?
His omission at Villa was inevitable, having fallen out with boss Gerard Houllier in a monumental row last Autumn, having previously clashed at Lyon.
Darren Bent’s dream start at Villa meant the club saw no reason to look to renew Carew’s contract, but the 31-year-old will feel he still has plenty to offer.
Carew is a quintessential target man, suited to the English game, but needs time on the pitch and after a stop-start season will be searching for first team football.
Suitors: Carew could suit Fulham, as back-up should Bobby Zamora gets injured again, and Stoke may think about giving him a second chance, otherwise look for West Brom, QPR or Swansea to make a move, which he may prefer, as he will get more first team action.
2) Bolo Zenden
Many had forgotten Zenden was still around at the beginning of last season, but the Dutchman reminded everyone he still has plenty to offer with a string of assured performances for Sunderland.
With goals and assists in his armoury it was somewhat of a surprise that the Mackems decided not to renew his contract.
He signed off with a goal in his final Sunderland game bagging the opener in a 3-0 win over relegated West Ham.
Now aged 34 the attacking midfielder will be out to prove a point once again. A former Chelsea and Liverpool player, he has scored 19 goals for various Premiership clubs.
Suitors: Having played for two clubs in the North East, Zenden could seek to complete the set, by joining Newcastle if he wants to stay in the area. An equally likely option would be Wigan, who released Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder, and Zenden would be a straight replacement, with his experience adding vital balance to Roberto Martinez’s youthful side.
3) Zoltan Gera
The Hungarian did not have a vintage season last year, almost scuppering Fulham’s fair play bid with a final game red card, and looks in need of a fresh start.
An undoubted talent, he was voted Fulham player of the season during their Europa League run under Roy Hodgson.
Aged 32, he will still feel he has two or three years left at the top, with it only being 15 months ago he bagged a crucial double strike against Italian giants Juventus.
The big question may be whether he sees his future in England, in his native Hungary, or elsewhere in Europe.
Suitors: If England is his choice, one club stands out, a return to West Brom, where he played from 2004 to 2008, to be reunited with his former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson. However if Adel Taarabt leaves QPR, Gera would be a cheap replacemen for his position, and the move across west London would not mean too much personal upheaval.
4) Eidur Gudjohnsen
The one-time Barcelona and Chelsea forward certainly has a point to prove to show he can still cut it in the Premiership, after poor loan spells at Stoke and Fulham.
At 32 the Icelander is at a crucial point in his career and cannot afford for another stop-start season.
Joining both sides on deadline day did not help him and he will look to make an early move and get into pre-season training early on.
He has failed to score for a Premiership side since his loan spell at Tottenham in 2010, with 14 fruitless performances last term.
Suitors: Gudjohnsen could be the sort of big name Blackburn’s ambitious Indian owners want to get on their books, and one they could realistically sign. Alternatively Everton are a side always in need of goals and David Moyes could be the right manager to get him to knuckle down and re-ignite his career.
5) Diomansy Kamara
The unpredictable Senegalese striker ended last season on loan at Leicester, where he managed two goals, and was released by Fulham.
A one time £6 million signing for the Cottagers, his best run of form was cut back by knee injury, and he never regained his best form.
He will always be revered by Fulham for goals which kept them up against Manchester City in 2008, but now it is time for both to move on.
Kamara may drop down a division for first team football, but if a Premiership club comes calling he will jump at the opportunity, an FA Cup hattrick against Peterborough in January proved he still has ability.
Suitors: Like Gera, being reunited with Hodgson at former club West Brom could be an ideal solution, and he could be a bargain replacement for Odemwingie if he is sold. Sven’s ambitious Leicester may also look to sign him up permanently, if he can be persuaded.
6) Giles Barnes
Former Derby county golden boy, Barnes was tipped for the very top, but has faded into obscurity since signing for West Brom and never breaking through.
Making just 22 first team appearances in two years tells its own story, following an equally unsuccessful loan spell at Fulham where he failed to play a game.
The common factor in his release from both those clubs was Roy Hodgson, so former England youth international Barnes is back to square one in his career.
The attacking midfielder is only 22, and has a chance to make a name for himself in the game still, but will have to stay injury free and find the right club for him. If he finds form he could be a real diamond, worth millions in the future.
Suitors: Known for their investment in young talent with a high resale value, Wigan will certainly assess what Barnes has to offer. But an offer from West Ham will be appealing to the youngster born in east London, who might find Championship football is exactly what he needs right now.
7) Marcus Hahnemann
Goalkeepers play longer than players in any other position, and the big American is no exception, now 39 years of age.
Making more than 270 appearances for Reading, he moved on to Wolves when the Royals were relegated in 2009.
Under Mick McCarthy he played almost 39 times for the Molineaux club, but did not feature after being dropped following a loss to Blackpool last November.
Hahnemann will be searching for a one-year deal, looking for one standout season before retirement.
Suitors: Having allowed compatriot Brad Friedel to sign for Tottenham, Aston Villa could look for Hahnemann, a year younger, to move across the Midlands, even as a second choice stopper, if as predicted they sign Ben Foster. Bolton could also seek to sign him up as reserve if Al-Habsi is sold, but the American will fight to make himself first choice.
8) Tamir Cohen
Now a free agent, Cohen was released by Bolton despite a headed winner against Arsenal in late April.
Cohen has had a tough few months with the recent death of his father Avi who died in a motorbike accident, and a fresh start may be ideal for him.
He scored six goals for Bolton in almost 50 games, despite struggling with injury, and is a current Israeli international.
Now 27 he should be entering the peak of his career and his versatility means he can play combatively across the midfield, with an eye for a crucial goal.
Suitors: Cohen’s style may suit Wolves, and he could be good foil for their latest signing Jamie O’Hara. Sunderland or Stoke will also take a look at the motivated midfielder, with the Mackems searching for a replacement for Jordan Henderson.
9) Benjani
At each club he has played for, Benjani has scored goals. He has not always been prolific, but he has weighed in with vital match-winning strikes.
His standout performance last season inspired Blackburn to a 3-0 victory over Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool, scoring twice, and he will be keen to show he has still got what it takes.
His former clubs include Manchester City, Portsmouth and Sunderland, having played in the Premieship since 2006.
Like Diomansy Kamara, he is faced with a choice of a rotation policy at a Premiership club, or more regular football in the Championship, and at 32 is at a crossroads in his career.
Suitors: Benjani would be a good fit at Stoke City, who could use him as a target man, or let him drop deeper, allowing his workrate to provide a foil for Kenwyne Jones. The Zimbabwean would also be a good signing for new boys Swansea, who have talent, but little Premiership experience among their squad.
10) Nigel Reo-Coker
Gunners legend Ian Wright wrote in his newspaper column that Nigel Reo-Coker was ‘exactly what Arsenal need’ after Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at the Emirates in May.
It was somewhat surprising then, that Reo-Coker was allowed to leave on a free transfer, but inconsistent performances over the years have not helped his cause.
One goal from central midfield in 102 games tells its own story and is a poor return which he must improve on wherever he goes.
In 2006 while at West Ham he was linked with a £10 million move to Manchester United, which failed to materialise, and the central midfielder went onto join Villa a year later.
He still has plenty to offer aged 27, and will be searching for a top move, even if Wright’s tip for him to sign for Arsenal seems overly ambitious.
Suitors: Born in London should he desire a move back down south, QPR will be looking at him should they wish to add steel to their midfield. Fulham will also have a look, Martin Jol has promised 4-5 new signings, with midfield one of the areas they need to strengthen. If the Midlands is where he wants to stay, then Stoke City will seek to make an offer.
Image © nickserebi
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