There are still plenty of free agents out and about desperately trying to get back into the game. It is rare that Premier League clubs since players like this, but Championship clubs often do target this market to excellent effect. We focus on five players currently without a club that could do a job in the Championship.
Paul Robinson (Goalkeeper)
Whilst ‘Robbo’ is now 36 years of age and has been without a club officially since the end of last season, there is no denying his quality. He has stepped into the punditry world of late and appears on Sky Sports every so often for their Football League coverage. However we all remember Robinson as being an exceptional goalkeeper. He had his injury problems at Blackburn Rovers, leading to his departure. However he’ll have worked hard over the summer and he seems the type that will keep himself in shape. He just needs someone to give him a chance and this former England international could well improve with age as well, just as most goalkeepers tend to do so. Even if just adding his voice on the training ground or experience to the dressing room, he’d be an asset.
Richard Dunne (Centre Back)
Here we have another 36 year old and time is certainly running out for him. He was released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season, following the expiration of his contract. He has spent the vast majority of his career in the Premier League, with Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa. He was linked with moving across to the Indian Super League or even returning to his native Ireland to see out his career. However he surely is better than that. Even if on a deal until the end of the season, he could slot into a Championship side with no problems. Assuming he has kept himself fit and well over the summer months, his reading of the game alone would make him an exceptional signing. It probably seems unlikely now, but he has a year or two left in him, doesn’t he?
Kevin Nolan (Central Midfield or Second Striker)
Kevin Nolan seems to have been around forever and ever, however he has only had three clubs throughout his career. Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and most recently West Ham United all had the pleasure of allowing Nolan to do his stuff for them on the pitch. The natural solution for this out of work player would be for him to link up with Big Sam Allardyce at Sunderland. However this former Newcastle man probably won’t be too welcome! He was training with Leyton Orient recently, probably just to keep up his fitness. He is only 33 years old and still has plenty to offer. He has twice played in the Championship and twice he has gained promotion in terms of the modern era. Nolan is just the type of player that would suit the Championship right down to the ground. He deserves an opportunity somewhere.
Leon Best (Striker)
Now this man probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he could certainly ‘do a job’ for someone. Neil Redfearn recently discussed the prospect of him joining Rotherham United, so he may well not be a free agent for much longer. Considering the hustle and bustle of a Championship campaign, there is always a need for a big target man striker. Best is less than a year shy of his 30th birthday, which will probably surprise quite a few people. Whilst he has had more clubs than we’ve all had hot dinners, he must be doing something right to keep on earning moves to these clubs. Plenty of these have been loan moves and he just needs to settle down at this stage of his career. He seems the type that needs an arm around him, in order to get the best out of him. He too has won promotion out of this league during his time with Nolan at Newcastle United. Last season he was playing for Brighton, who are now flying high in the Championship, so he should still have something to offer. He could be another who’d suit receiving a deal until the end of the season.
Ricardo Vaz Te (Winger)
Vaz Te is another who seems to have been around for a very long time, but he too hasn’t reached 30 years of age just yet. The last few occasions he has played in the Championship, with West Ham and Barnsley, he has made a very big impression. Every team needs a tricky winger in their side and Vaz Te certainly fits into that category. Whilst he can be a frustrating and inconsistent type, if given the freedom, he can also be a match winner. He ended last season in the Turkish Super League, which is a decent enough level to indicate he has some quality in his arsenal still. He came through the Portuguese national team youth sides so he obviously has something about him. There have been whispers over the summer about him moving back to England, and there just has to be a Championship manager that could fit him in somewhere.
