The January transfer window has ended and all the clubs have concluded their business transactions – but is everybody satisfied? More often than not transfer deals take a significant amount of time and are dragged around the entire month of January over the ideal price or an arrangement for a certain player. There is the club, then there is the player, the entire formality of conducting a medical examination and on the top of that – travel.
Not only is it exhausting for club officials but for the player as well which eventually leads to both parties scampering over a last-minute agreement on the deadline day. The manager is left dissatisfied over the failed transactions and the players are left frustrated over spending another 6 months with a side they might not wish to play for.
The greatest loophole is the free agent market and even though thorough professionals with top-pedigree experience never find themselves without a contract, you will be surprised to see some of the names that are without one this year.
Samir Nasri
The former Arsenal and Manchester City player is in a limbo right now drifting through the European markets once with Sevilla then with Turkish outfit, Antalyaspor. He joined the Super Lig side last summer and eventually terminated his contract after making just 8 appearances and registering 2 goals.
Once deemed to be the ‘future Zidane’, Nasri is only a shadow of what he could have been with Arsenal. The Frenchman opted to move away from the Emirates in hopes of more silverware but could only manage a rotational position in the City lineup. At a young age of just 30, he still has a lot of football left in him if not for the national team, for club football.
Patrice Evra
His contract with Marseille got terminated after the former Manchester United left-back reacted badly towards a fan during team practice. He is still eager to play and judging by his workout videos all over social media, still fit enough.
Joleon Lescott
Another former City player who managed 160 total appearances for the club and was heavily used by Roberto Mancini in the centre-back role. Now he has found a way of earning a quick buck as a football pundit whenever called upon by any news outlet. He is a veteran with a lot of Premier League and Championship experience. Lot of clubs in the lower divisions of English football are suffering from defensive issues and a player like Lescott will provide an all-important leadership for the final stretch of the season.
