Top 5 free agents still available in the transfer market

While a lot of business was done during the summer transfer window, some clubs were not able to get as many reinforcements as they would have wanted before the window shut a few days earlier.

However, those clubs need not fear, as there are still a number of players available for them to sign immediately. How, you ask? There are a number of free agents still available in the market who could do a job for a club that can pay their wages, and could prove to be a steal if they impress.

While the likes of Mladen Petric, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Ciprian Marica, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, and Stephen Hunt missed out on this list but are still available, here is a list of the top 5 free agents who clubs could, and should be still looking for.

5. William Gallas

Gallas is a player who has played for a number of big-name clubs, most recently spending periods at Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The two-time Premier League winner was an excellent centre-half in his prime, and formed the backbone of Jose Mourinho’s defence during the Portuguese manager’s first period at Chelsea, and while age has slowly caught up with him, Gallas still made 17 league appearances for the Spurs last term.

The high-spending North London side decided not to renew Gallas’ contract, which is why the Frenchman is currently unattached. However, he could prove to be a good buy for a team looking for more cover and experience at the back.

4. David Bentley

29-year old David Bentley is the epitome of a wasted talent. At one point of time, he was regarded as the country’s greatest young prospect, with then-England manager Steve McLaren suggesting that the right winger was the ‘new David Beckham’. A couple of brilliant seasons for Blackburn Rovers, which included a hattrick against Manchester United, propelled him to greater heights, and Bentley was handed several England caps during that period as well.

However, after a £15 million move to Tottenham Hotspur, Bentley’s powers started to wane, with the winger looking a shadow of his previous self in the coming seasons.

He was loaned out to Birmingham, West Ham, Russian side Rostov, and back to Blackburn, but was not able to make much of an impression at any of those clubs. Tottenham were glad for his contract to run out this summer, leaving Bentley still without a club.

Many suggest that Bentley’s plunge to mediocrity was just the case of the player not showing enough desire to improve and perform. However, if he can be motivated right, then the winger with a sublime right foot could still be a gamble worth taking for an interested club.

3. Craig Gordon

In 2007, Craig Gordon was snapped up by Sunderland for a then-highest fee by a British club for a goalkeeper, as the Black Cats signed him for £9 million. Six years later, and the same player has drifted into obscurity.

Many experts saw Gordon as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the continent, with even Gianluigi Buffon suggesting that he could become one of the best custodians in the world. The Scot was even handed the award for the ‘Best Save’ in the Premier League’s ’20 season awards’.

However, his career was blighted by constant injury, which never really allowed his Premier League career to reach greater heights. Eventually, after a lot of time on the treatment table, Sunderland chose not to renew his contract, after which he has been a free agent.

Still only 30 years of age, Gordon could have a career ahead of him if he can remain fit, and a club ready to take a gamble on him could reap massive rewards if Gordon can make the field.

2. Yossi Benayoun

Having played for clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, and still only 33, many would’ve thought that Yossi Benyoun wouldn’t have found it tough to find himself a suitor this summer. Yet, the Israeli international remains a free agent, ready to be snapped up by any willing party.

After a couple of good seasons with West Ham United, Benayoun was snapped up by Liverpool for £5 million, with Chelsea moving for the midfielder three seasons later for a fee of £5.5 million. Despite being part of the Europa League-winning team last season, he wasn’t a regular at the Blues, and saw a successful loan spell at the Emirates with Arsenal in the 2011-12 season.

With Benayoun not a player who relies overtly on pace, a signing that wouldn’t make a dent in transfer budgets does seem like a good proposition. Only time will tell, however, if a team does make a move for the journeyman.

1. Mohamed Sissoko

Valencia. Liverpool. Juventus. Paris Saint-Germain. Fiorentina. Still only 28 years old and without a club this season. The Mali international won La Liga, the UEFA Cup and a Super Cup with Rafael Benitez at Valencia, before being signed up by the same manager when he was at Liverpool for a fee of £5.6 million.

There, he won the FA Cup and the Community Shield as well as another Super Cup, becoming a regular feature in a midfield that also consisted of the likes of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.

Juventus signed the 6’3″ player for a fee of around £9.5 million in 2008, with the player spending four years at the Old Lady. Big-spending PSG came in for Sissoko in the 2011-12 season, but despite being part of the Ligue 1-winning side of last season, the midfielder hardly got any regular first-team football, and eventually left the club after his contract was not renewed.

Rumours suggest that Reading are looking to sign Sissoko, with his experience expected to help the Royals bounce back into the Premier League. However, his ability could warrant a team with even bigger potential to move in for him in the coming weeks.