Hull City’s summer, in one word, has been ‘dubious’. The departure of Steve Bruce and important injury setbacks set the domino effect which saw the predicament of the club turn from bad to worse. Mike Phelan, must have been glad to have been able to spend the 17 million that he could on new recruits (most notably, Ryan Mason from Tottenham), with the biggest bonus being able to keep Abel Hernandez in light of a 20m GBP bid coming in from Aston Villa. However, with the squad still struggling to come to terms with the demands of top-flight football, T4O looks to point Mike towards the general direction of 5 free transfers that could remedy the Tigers’ turmoil.
Raul Meireles
The Sergeant General of Football Hipsters Association, if there was such a thing. Raul Meireles is a stylish midfield-shuttler who is capable of play right across and along the midfield, in any given role. A metronomic mind, gifted with superlative ambidexterity, the former Liverpool, and Chelsea midfield general is one for setting the tempo of the game, and playing the pass before the final pass. The Champions League winner’s off the ball movement also allows him to get himself into scoring positions outside the where he’ll opt to stroke the ball into the path of an onrushing team-mate, or bend one into the top corner. At 33, the former Portugal mainstay still has a good two seasons in his tank. There’s a lot Ryan Mason could learn off of him.
Momo Sissoko
The Barcelona slayer, as he’s lovingly known, around the parts of Merseyside, this man-mountain of a defensive midfielder is one for the big matches. Coming with undoubted European credentials with his time at Liverpool, PSG, and Juventus, he’s well-remembered to have kept Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, and Ronaldinho in his pocket in his prime. He’s another one who would bolt some steel and solidity into the Hull midfield. He’s already being courted by the likes of West Brom, so Hull City would need to hurry up.
Phil Mexes
The centre-back who scored some ridiculous goals for AC Milan, that would make his former team-mate Zlatan proud, finds himself without a club after the departure of Silvio Berlusconi. The Frenchman once deemed to be among the best ball-playing centre-backs in Europe, is one who’d bring undoubted class, technique, and composure into the Hull City defensive ranks, coupled with his European experience and leadership qualities.
Stéphane Sessègnon
Aged 32, Stephane Sessegnon is no stranger to the Premier League. The former Paris Saint-Germain hero had been a mainstay with Sunderland before moving over to West Brom. He’d provide good width, directness, and pace to burn off the bench. There’s also the option of Charles N’zogbia that Hull City could for, but considering his baggage, and attitude issues, Sessegnon, a consummate professional, is a much safer bet to turn up with the end product more often.
Junior Hoilett
Another one for the wide areas. The 26-year-old, not too long ago was the talk of the town, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool weighing up moves to lure away the buccaneering, Blackburn Rovers winger. QPR turned the Canadian’s head with a fat dab of cash on the tables, and since the, his stock has plummeted due to a lack of motivation and application, owing to the uncertainty and the mismanagement around the London club.
A move to Hull City could be the perfect ladder up into the bright lights of the Premier League, from the cellar of obscurity, and a chance to realise his considerable early promise.
