With the winter transfer window fully open, there are a few bargain buys that should be on any struggling team’s list. Most of these players are old, past their prime, and possibly crocked. However with that, there possibly cheap, Possibly hungry to play, And possibly the difference between relegation and staying within the top league.
Florent Malouda is 33 years old. He has experienced success at Chelsea and at Lyon. Currently he is playing in Turkey for the mighty Trabzonspor. One can only imagine the lengths one would not need to go through in order to drag him out of the Tartarus of European leagues. Obviously Malouda has lost a step in his game, but that doesn’t take away from the potential upside that he could still bring to any team that needs talent on the flanks. At his current speed he may best be used in the central midfield.
Vicente Rodriguez, former Spain international, and former Valencia star left winger, has been out of work since falling out with his former stopgap team, Brighton. Maybe he doesn’t need the money. Maybe he just doesn’t want to play anymore. But maybe he does, And the team that makes an offer for him could get a very good deal for left winger who has a lot of talent, and at age 32, may still have gas in the tank.
Former German international, Thomas Hitzlsperger, may be a controversial signing for any team at this moment. Previously he played at Westham, and suffered many injuries which led to his retirement last year. However he’s only 31 years old, and possessed the talent to land him a spot on the German national team in the first place. And yes there is that news about him coming out of the closet, and whether or not the football world is ready to have a gay player. The football world doesn’t need to be ready. The football world is past the age would need to be potty trained long ago. It’s time for the football world to grow up and allow a footballer to play regardless of that player’s personal life decisions.
Finally, teams can also look to any of the advanced aged Inter Milan players that were recently released. Cambiaso, Chivu, and Walter “The Wall” Samuel are all being pushed out the door this season. New owner, Erick Thohir, is looking to make wholesale changes to his team in order to bring it back into contention, and would be willing to entertain any offers that could open some breathing room in his locker. And another name on the list, Diego Milito, is rumored on his way back to Argentina at the end of the season. These guys could be had for song.
Questionable “bargains”, as they would likely cost more than the previously mentioned players, include Diego from Wolfsburg, Jeremy Menez from PSG, Urby Emanuelson from AC Milan, and John Heitinga from Everton, who has attracted a lot of rumors, But hasn’t managed to move to a new team.
Any of these players could be the wildcards needed for success. The winter transfer window, in its condensed duration, has always bought a certain sense of madness. Don’t be surprised if any of these players make their way to a new team in the Premier League.
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