It would be fair to say that all clubs in the Sky Bet Championship will be aware of those free agents released by Premier League clubs. There are certainly some talented individuals still without a club that could do a job at this level. We look at the top five realistic targets.
Now it would be easy, but certainly unrealistic, for us to include someone like former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich. Now yes, he is a free agent, but he isn’t going to be tempted dropping down, plus he is injured anyway! Just so we clarify what we mean by realistic! Nevertheless, there are still some handy options that Championship clubs could utilise.
We’ll start with a player who actually played a number of times in the division last season whilst on loan with Burton Albion. That man is midfielder Michael Kightly.
The 31-year-old was snapped up by Brewers boss Nigel Clough in the hope to use his experience to help get his team over the line in surviving against relegation, also against all the odds. The tricky winger played double-digit games, scoring a couple of crucial goals, to help Burton stay up with a few games to spare. Logically it would be easy to assume Burton now want him permanently. However nothing has been arranged as of yet, and you’d assume it would’ve happened by now if it was going to.
He has experience of this league from his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers as well, plus loan spells with Watford and then Burnley. He is certainly an asset at this level, and for a free transfer, he’d be a handy squad player to have without a shadow of a doubt.
Another handy player who could do a job is striker Marvin Emnes, released by Swansea City.
Like Kightly, he too spent last season in the league on loan, with Blackburn Rovers in this case. It wasn’t so much of a happy ending in this instance as Rovers of course were relegated on the final day. Whilst Emnes didn’t contribute too many goals during his stint, he offered plenty on the ball. The Dutchman is still only 29, so he is arguably entering the peak of his career too.
He has actually been in the English game for just under ten years after being signed up by Middlesbrough in 2008 from Sparta Rotterdam. On that basis, nothing surprises him anymore about the English game. He is certainly a confidence player and if part of a winning side, he’ll produce the goods. Like most players, he’ll need the service, but he can produce moments of magic. For a free transfer, there are worse risks to take.
Switch to the second and final page to see three more handy free agents who could do a job in the second tier!
