Yesterday Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said “I’ve no intention of bringing one (a free agent) one, I’ll go with the group.” However, a handful of experienced Premier League footballers are still available after being released by their previous clubs.
OK, these players are not the best in the world, with most the wrong side of 30. But their experience can be priceless come the end of the season. The likes of Joey Barton, Jonathan Woodgate and Owen Hargreaves have already been snapped up on free deals by Premier League clubs, highlighting the quality that is available with no money needing to be spent.
But with clubs understandably keen to do their business as early as possible into the new season, which free agents are still available and likely to be in demand? Here are three freebies that could change Pardew’s mind…
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One of the most eye-catching names on a somewhat limited list of free agents is former Birmingham forward James McFadden. At 28-years-old the Scottish international is a player with plenty more potential years of football ahead of him and he would bring huge international and domestic experience to a club. McFadden spent a year out with a cruciate ligament injury before leaving relegated Birmingham City in the summer. Wolves have been heavily linked with the player in recent weeks and he would be an ideal free acquisition for a number of Premier League clubs, with his fitness after a lengthy injury lay-off the only possible set-back. But if McFadden can prove his fitness, I would expect him to be one of the more in-demand free agents this season.
Former Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann is another player still available after leaving the Premier League club in the summer. At 39-years-old Hahnemann would only be a short-term investment but the experienced American could be an excellent addition to the dressing room if Pardew was looking for a leader in the team.
Defender Pascal Chimbonda left Premier League newboys Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season after playing a limited role in the squad that got promoted back to the top tier of English football. The well-travelled 32-year-old has plenty of Premier League experience and whilst it is easy to question why he moves around so much, Chimbonda would present a free deal that could benefit the Magpies.
Few names on the free transfer list will transform a team but for clubs like Newcastle searching to add to their squad with a very limited budget, free transfers present a bargain often worth the risk as managers continue to look for new faces well into the season.
Written by Lauren Rutter
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Chimbonda?! Are you serious. No thank you.