The transfer window was expected to get off to a relatively slow start but as usual, the clubs were hard at work behind the scenes ensuring they go after players who matched their required profiles. The big clubs usually splash the cash each season, coming out of the transfer market with proven champion players , and the important aspect in those pursuits are the finance as mostly the money offered determines the club the player chooses more often than not.
The so-called smaller clubs have to sit together and draw up transfer blueprints wherein they have to balance their finances and ideally look at players out of contract at other clubs who fit the bill. These free transfers are mostly facilitators for other marquee signings but every season a number of free transfers crop up and become important fixtures for the team and go onto play a vital role in their team’s fortune. Similarly, this season there have been a host of signings on a free transfer and predictably many more to come. Amongst the free signings up till now 3 players who are expected to be canny acquisitions for their clubs this season are:
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
He would rather be on the squad list of a Champions League winning team but finds himself leading the list of free transfer to the Premier League nonetheless. It was destiny which reunited these two special people, Jose Mourinho and Zlatan in the most special stadium in the world. Ibra kept everyone guessing for a long time on his choice of destination once he decided his time in Paris was up before announcing his next club himself. Jose will look to the star player to solve Manchester United frailties in front of goal with Ibra having netted an impressive 38 goals in 31 games for PSG in the recently concluded season. This might prove to be an extremely canny piece of business done by the shrewd Mourinho who will hope his star striker can bully defences into submission in the far more physical Premier League.
JOEL MATIP
Matip will be a perfect addition to Liverpool with his calming presence and his ability to play out of defence will complement Sakho’s swashbuckling approach. He has won 43 tackles this season with a success rate of 52%.
He has also made 97 interceptions, 175 clearances and 30 blocks to go along with his 3 goals. Liverpool will hope he will mature at Anfield and address the defensive shortcomings of Liverpool.
LUIS HERNANDEZ
Leicester City have reportedly wrapped up the signing of Sporting Gijon defender Luis Hernandez on a free transfer after his contract with the La Liga side ran out. The Foxes are looking to enhance their squad due to their participation in multiple competitions this season and the ageing central defensive partnership of Huth and Morgan were too risky to not be ready with appropriate back up. The 27-year old Hernandez had an impressive season for Gijon whom he helped secure survival on the last day of the season. The centre-back registered impressive stats of 187 clearance, 140 interceptions and 16 blocks. Despite being 6’0’’ he is rather weak going into aerial duels and will need to work on that. But his ball playing abilities and reading of the game are considered his plus points.
Stats Courtesy: Squawka.com
