Back page In football you never know if your manager wants to offer you a new contract or if they believe you are good enough to play in their team.
Every year hundreds of professional footballers get released from their clubs. In some leagues teams towards the bottom of the league do not have the financial power to compete with the bigger teams. This has caused many of the mid-table teams over the years to sign players whose contracts have expired. So who are the current free agents who could potentially play in the Premier League?
Mario Mandžukić
The Croatian target man has been left without a club since his contract was terminated by Qatari side Al-Duhail. His time in Qatar was short, playing only ten games and finding the back of the net twice.
His downfall in form began after Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri believed he was no longer good enough to play in Italy, this caused Mandžukić to be omitted from the Juventus Champion League squad.
Over the last decade Mario Mandžukić has been famed for his aerial ability and natural strength which not many defenders in: Germany, Spain or Italy could stop. With the Premier League being regarded as the most physical league in Europe, Mandžukić could excel in England with many managers such as José Mourinho looking to use a target man to win aerial balls high up the pitch.
Many may argue that Mario Mandžukić is too old and slow to play in the Premier League. Strikers such as 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimović have proven age is not a restriction in the Premier League.
It is difficult to say if Mario Mandžukić could find a team willing to give him first team football, but with COVID-19 affecting squad depth it may be smart for teams to invest in backup players who have the quality to play in the Premier League
Jack Wilshere
The two-time FA Cup winner has been without a club since October, after leaving his boyhood club West Ham. Wilshere only made 18 appearances for The Irons despite playing there for two seasons. Wilshere was notoriously injury prone throughout his career and this followed him to West Ham causing him to have limited game time.
Wilshere has always been a fan favourite for Arsenal fans for his passion for the club but also for his technical ability in midfield. Playing 182 times in the Premier League and 34 times for England may be the experience some less accomplished Premier League teams may welcome.
Wilshere is still only 28 meaning clubs could still sell him if his spell at the club does not go to plan. Wilshere formed a strong connection in midfield alongside Alex Song for Arsenal. His vision was exceptional for a player his age with many European clubs looking to sign the promising midfielder.
While on loan at Bournemouth, Wilshere showed glimpses of his former self orchestrating many of The Cherries attacks while also picking up their Player of the Month on two occasions.
Wilshere still has the talent to play in the Premier League. With Premier League clubs now only having a limited number of players allowed to be registered, only some managers will want to sign a player who is injury prone.
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli has been a free agent since his contract was terminated by hometown club Brescia. Balotelli signed a one-year deal at Brescia with an option for a further year if Brescia avoided relegation, but Brescia got relegated from Serie A causing Balotelli to be searching for another club.
Once regarded as the best prospect in football, even winning the 2010 golden boy award, Mario Balotelli has failed to live up to expectation due to his controversy off the pitch.
Mario Balotelli has experience playing in the Premier League for both Manchester City and Liverpool. He also has experience winning trophies including: four Serie A titles, The Premier league and the UEFA Champions League. These achievements on his CV can not go unnoticed by Premier League teams with many trusting young and inexperienced players to lead the line.
Balotelli is known for having a low work-rate and being undisciplined which will not appeal to many Premier League managers. Where he misses out in discipline he makes up with his shot power, finishing and physicality. Super Mario will be eager to play in the Premier League again and is already regaining his fitness with Serie D side Franciacorta.
Ahmed Musa
Much like Mario Mandžukić, Ahmed Musa has been playing his football in the Middle East for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. In October 2020 Musa stated that he was leaving Al-Nassr with the reason unknown. Musa has only recently turned 28 so he still has some years to play at the top level.
Ahmed Musa can play anywhere along the front three but prefers to play on the left. He is arguably one the quickest footballers when dribbling in the world with not many full backs being able to catch the Nigerian. He has played in the Premier League before, joining Leicester City for a club record £16.6 million from Russian side CSKA Moscow. It must be said Ahmed Musa failed to live up to expectations by not creating many chances for The Foxes like he did for CSKA Moscow.
Musa may be a risk with his poor form over the last couple of seasons. Teams towards the bottom of the Premier League could use the injection of pace that Musa could bring. Musa definitely has talent. It is whether he can find a manager who can trust in his ability.
