Free agent XI: Best players still available for free
System: 4-3-1-2
GOALKEEPER
Vladimir Gabulov (32) – 86 clean sheet kept in 257 games in his career. Gabulov is a veteran of the Russian league having played there for his entire career. His contract with Dinamo Moscow expired in June 2016. He’s probably the weakest player in the top 11, but still a quite affordable choice for a club that has to avoid relegation this season or any top second-league club.
DEFENCE
Joey O’Brien (30) – A former West Ham right-back, he has 111 Premier League appearances, 200 in all competitions. He has always played in England and has at least one appearance in each all major domestic tournament.
Alex (34) – The former AC Milan centre-back was supposed to return to his old club Santos, but they eventually failed to make a convincing offer for the former Chelsea man who could be a good profile for a newly-promoted side looking for some experience at the back.
Martin Caceres (29) – The most valuable player in the XI. The former Juventus centre-back is a versatile footballer who can also play on the right edge. Linked with every top Serie A club (apart from Juve, of course), he still has to make a decision over his future. Given his experience and relatively young age for a free agent, his agent Daniel Fonseca asks high commissions to seal his client. Some off-the-pitch matters are also discouraging potential bidders.
Juan Vargas (32) – Not the fittest footballer out there. A former Catania, Genoa and Fiorentina winger, the Peru International can play everywhere on the left: both defender and winger. He scored two goals and registered two assists with Betis Sevilla last term. If he recovers his best fitness he can become a good signing.
MIDFIELD
Mohammed Sissoko (31) – He has played in every big European league throughout his career (Spain, Italy, England), thought his former club Shanghai Shenhua did not extend his contract last February, a detail that suggest that the best days are probably gone.
Sulley Muntari (32) – Definitely plenty of experience, but does he still worth an investment by any top-flight club? The former AC Milan midfielder’s contract was not extended by Ittihad last July and the player is looking for a new club to join. If he puts his experience at service of a small club, he can help them to raise their level, trouble is small clubs might not afford his salary.
Raul Meireles (33) – Fenerbache did not extend his stay at the club at the end of last season when he had racked up 21 appearances and just one goal. A former big name on the transfer market (he moved from Liverpool to Chelsea for € 13 million in 2011), his most likely next stop is the MLS or any other wealthy league.
Ronaldinho (36) – Everyone football fan would like to have him in his squad, even just to watch him during trainings. He’s probably not fit enough to compete in any European top-flight, but I wouldn’t be surprise to see him moving to the Chinese Super League even for a short spell. His name is known everywhere in the world and Chinese clubs believe that Brazilian players are the most affordable in terms of quality and performances. Linked with a move to Cagliari last summer, the Serie A club denied that they were negotiating with the two times FIFA Ballon d’Or winner.
STRIKERS
Miroslav Klose (38) – A hard choice to make here as there are still some eye-catching strikers available, but the German seems to be one of the most reliable ones. Marouane Chamack, Antonio Di Natale and Dimitar Berbatov are also without a contract at the moment, but how can’t you pick the best scorer in the history of the World Cup?
Emmanuel Adebayor (32) – How did he end up here? He was supposed to be the striker of the future some 6-7 years ago, this is the second time in one year that he’s left with no contract by his previous club. In September 2015 Spurs cut short his contract and he joined Crystal Palace a few months later. He could only score one goal in 15 appearances is his six-month spell with the Premier League side last term and the Togo International is now in transfer talks with Ligue1 and Champions League side Lyon.
