Luckily for EFL managers, there has never been a better time to pick up an out-of-contract bargain.
The Covid crisis and attendant fan shut-out has left an unprecedented number of players unemployed, whilst also depressing wages across the board.
Now, stars once out of reach may be available for peanuts. Here are five of the best:
Rudy Gestede Striker, Age: 33
BOMBED out by Middlesbrough when he chose not to sign a short-term contract extension in July, Gestede’s once stellar reputation has been scuttled by several fallow seasons.
Renowned for his aerial prowess, the giant Frenchman plundered 35 goals in just 73 games for Blackburn Rovers.
Since a £6m switch to Aston Villa in 2015, however, he has found the net just 17 times in five years.
Playing in awful sides hasn’t helped; Villa were about to embark on one of the worst Premier League campaigns of all time, whilst a second £6m move – to Middlesbrough in January 2017 – also ended in relegation from the top flight.
Injuries, including a fractured ankle, caused problems. Oddly, Gestede was also shunned by Tony Pulis at Boro.
Gestede is clearly lacking confidence and the suspicion remains that he is only effective in a front two, as demonstrated by his prolific partnership with Jordan Rhodes at Ewood Park.
In theory, though, he retains the raw materials to thrive.
Nathan Dyer Winger, Age: 32
この記事は The Football League Paper の October 18, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Football League Paper の October 18, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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