Sure, it’s exciting to splash millions on a star you think will haul your club to new heights – but there’s value to be exploited in these out-of-contract stars
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Choupo-Moting might not be the most talented player, but he's versatile, hard working and very strong physically, which makes the 28-year-old a decent candidate for a mid-table team in the Premier League.
Able to play as centre forward, second striker, winger and in midfield, the burly Schalke man is from a mixed background – he was born in Germany but represents Cameroon. Choupo-Moting possesses remarkable dribbling skills for such a big player, and can be dangerous in various ways. He has a decent shot and is naturally good in the air.
It should be said that the striker never fulfilled his potential at Mainz and Schalke, partly due to persistent injury problems. Choupo-Moting had his fair share of knee injuries, including the one that ended his 2016/17 season in April, which is why Schalke wanted to sell him back in January.
Stoke and Southampton couldn't agree a fee back then, but they can come back now that he is free. Attitude has never been a problem, and thus Choupo-Moting could be a gamble worth taking.
Rachid Ghezzal
Ghezzal is currently negotiating with Milan, but Premier League clubs could still enter the frame – especially given the fact that Arsenal considered signing the winger in January.
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The Gunners themselves are unlikely to be involved, though, mainly because the 25-year-old lost his place in Lyon’s starting lineup in 2017, showing how inconsistent he can be. In fact, only one coach – current boss Bruno Genesio – has ever managed to make him shine.
Cutting inside onto his stronger right foot like his idol Arjen Robben, Ghezzal produced some sensational displays throughout 2016
Ghezzal grew up under his guidance in Lyon’s youth team, and profited immensely when Genesio was promoted to lead the senior squad in December 2015. Until then, the Frenchman – who chose to represent Algeria internationally – was considered too weak, but the new mentor found his best position for him on the right wing.
Cutting inside onto his stronger right foot like his idol Arjen Robben, Ghezzal produced some sensational displays throughout 2016, and attracted interest from Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and West Ham. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was reluctant to sell, though, promising to find an agreement for a new deal.
That proved to be wishful thinking, however, and now Ghezzal is on his way out, blamed for disloyalty by Lyon fans. He is best suited for a coach who uses a 4-3-3 formation and doesn't demand that their wingers defend too often.
Miguel Veloso
Once upon a time, Veloso was considered one of the very brightest graduates of Sporting’s famous Alcochete academy. Blessed with supreme vision, a superb range of passing and very powerful shot from distance, he was vital for Portugal when Paulo Bento was coach.
Some thought that Veloso was better than Joao Moutinho at Sporting, but a string of poor career choices prevented the graceful midfielder from fulfilling his potential. In the end he was somewhat wasted at Dynamo Kiev.
His 2016/17 season at Genoa was rather lacklustre too, but Veloso can still revitalise his career at the age of 31, and he is definitely not a bad gamble to take as a free agent. This is a player who is able to produce quite a few assists with his magnificent free-kicks.
Cheikh N'Doye
The big problem with N'Doye is his age. For some reason, the Senegalese midfielder wasn't discovered in good time and played in France's lower divisions until 2015. The 31-year-old is very much a late bloomer, but ever since joining Angers two years ago he has proved to be one of the most influential players in Ligue 1, and was duly named team captain.
N'Doye has something of Patrick Vieira in him. He is extremely strong, powerful in the air and exceptionally dangerous from set-pieces, and yet at the same time knows how to dictate the tempo and build the game from behind. His technical skills are gradually improving as well, and he is capable of sending deft through-balls. In short, we are talking about a complete box-to-box enforcer.
Crystal Palace and West Brom showed interest a year ago, and now they can get their man for nothing. After spending most of his career at tiny Epinal and Creteil, N'Doye would be glad to have a taste of English football, and he looks perfectly suited for it. After all, age is just a number.
Gael Clichy
Clichy hardly needs any introduction after eight seasons at Arsenal and six years at Manchester City. He might not have fully convinced Pep Guardiola, but the Frenchman is a dynamic left-back who is very potent when joining attacks, and resilient in defence at the same time.
"Gael has been an important player for this football club, and I want to wish him well for the future,” City director of football Txiki Begiristain said upon the Frenchman’s release. “He has been outstanding in the way he applied himself both in games and in training.”
Pablo Zabaleta has immediately found a new home in the Premier League after leaving Manchester by signing for West Ham. A similar move could be perfect for Clichy, but he is capable of contributing at the highest level as well, and Liverpool are reportedly considering making an offer. It seems like a no-brainer.
Aleksandr Belenov
Few fans outside Russia are familiar with Belenov, and his CV doesn't look exciting to put it mildly. The 31-year-old goalkeeper spent most of his career at lowly Kuban Krasnodar, and played at both Anzhi Makhachkala and Ufa last season. He was never given a chance by a top club in his homeland, and Russian players are known to have huge difficulties abroad. Why do we care to mention him, then?
Not for nothing did Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov, a former international keeper himself, call Belenov into his squad
Well, simply because Belenov is a very good keeper. He is not spectacular, but has no significant weaknesses either. He is good on crosses, boasts excellent reflexes on the line, leadership qualities, and specialises at stopping penalties as well.
Not for nothing did Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov, a former international keeper himself, call Belenov into his squad for the Confederations Cup. Though by no means a star signing, he could prove a superb backup goalkeeper for a Premier League club.
Joe Ledley
He’s unlikely to get fans of a prospective new club excited, but Ledley is on his way out of Crystal Palace and could be a sensible signing for a newly promoted club.
The Wales international fell behind the likes of Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic in the pecking order at Selhurst Park, which is fair enough for an ambitious Eagles outfit that need to aim higher than a relegation dogfight in 2017/18.
Ledley, still only 30, is vastly experienced across the Championship and Premier League, and has Champions League games to his name from three-and-a-half seasons at Celtic too. For a club in need of a relatively inexpensive addition to bolster their ranks, the 72-cap Wales man could be a sensible arrival.
The 34-year-old Brazil-born Portuguese stopper has admitted that he wants to stay at Real Madrid, and that is understandable after 10 years at the Bernabeu. However, injuries limited his availability in 2016/17, and he is somewhat surplus to requirements with Raphael Varane set to star alongside Sergio Ramos for the foreseeable future.
If Pepe is available on a free transfer, Premier League clubs should definitely consider him. Vastly experienced and markedly less volatile in recent seasons, he was one of the very best centre-backs at Euro 2016 and named man of the match in the final against France.
Nobody should underestimate Pepe’s contributions for the champions, and that touch could be very useful in England – even if he isn’t as quick as he used to be.
