Even deeply embroiled in a recession,
football fans expect their respective clubs to restructure their
playing squads during the offseason. This summer is likely to be
remarkable because it features a major tournament; this befuddles the
break's early weeks as players inflate their purchase prices with
tantalising glimpses of form or potential.
A nearly pathological desire for value
for money now permeates football at all levels. Players and
transactions are judged early, often and viciously. This means the
best transfers a club can make are often those which cost
nothing: a Bosman move, where players become free agents after their
current contract expires. The full list of Premiership players
available “on a Bosman” is
posted at Goal.com or transfermarkt.co.uk,
although both
need updating.
So here's the big question: could we
frugally build a squad capable of surviving using players acquired
only via Bosman moves?
Firstly, we should look for strength
down back. I'd look no further than Fulham's Mark Schwarzer
to start a team with – partly because he's still, at 39, one of the
best shot-stoppers in the Premiership; and also because he's my
favourite Socceroo of all time. His closest competition comes
from Jussi Jaaskelainen, who has fallen behind Adam Bogdan at Bolton
for no apparent reason.
The best defenders available include
Aston Villa's Carlos Cuellar, Jose Boswinga of Chelsea, perma-crocked
Ledley King and his erstwhile partner Jonathon Woodgate, who's
now at Stoke City. Unfortunately, this list includes an criminally
overpaid full-back and two centre-halves renowned for legs made from
glass, so if it's Value for Money we're looking for, it's time to
search for alternate options.
The classy-but-brutal Zdynek Grygera is
available, but
coming off knee surgery. The man he was ostensibly to replace,
Stephen Kelly, looks likely to leave Craven Cottage as well; Maynor
Figueroa was thought to be a wonderful left-sided defender as
recently a Roberto Martinez ago, while Clint
Hill and Fitz Hall have featured intermittently for QPR this
term.
In terms of durability, skill and cost,
however I'd suggest lumping for a foursome of Cuellar,
Figueroa, Bolton's
Gretar Steinsson and
finally, Everton's Atlas Sylvain Distin.
As both Swansea and Norwich Cities have
proved this season, a competitive midfield is crucial in not only
saving games, but winning them. The best centre-mids available
include Mohamed
Diame and Jordi Gomez of Wigan, Mahamadou Diarra of Fulham (who's
likely to see his deal extended, and therefore ineligible),
Newcastle's Danny
Guthrie and Fulham OAP Danny Murphy. Murphy can still
thoroughly influence a game, so despite his 35 year-old legs I'm
selecting him alongside Diame for
a combative and effective pairing.
The
decisions out wide are made simpler by the presence of Blackburn
prodigy Junior
Hoilett,
who walks into the wide-left position (even though he naturally
belongs on the opposite side). After kicking the tires twice before
deciding Florent Malouda isn't worth the sticker price and that
Martin Petrov's form has slipped too far since his debut Bolton
season, the man I want for the right is Cameroon megalith Somen
Tchoyi.
It's a relief to have these two available because other options
aren't exciting at all: Akos Buzsaky, Peter Lovenkrands, Hogan
Ephraim and Jerome Thomas.
Up front, we'll surprise by signing the
cheap (but perhaps litigious) Ryan Noble, who has impressed
every judge but his managers at Sunderland. He'll pair Hugo
Rodallega, who this time last year led Wigan from a fate worse
than relegation into another year (or more) of Premier League
football. We'll have to rely on pace for incision, rather than
height or tricks, but this duo comes significantly
cheaper than “name” forwards Andrei Arshavin, Salomon Kalou and
Didier Drogba. Other options include Stoke City's Ricardo
Fuller, the desir'd Andy Johnson (again of Fulham).
Squad (4-4-2):
Schwarzer, Steinsson, Cuellar, Distin, Figueroa; Tchoyi, Murphy,
Diame, Hoilett; Noble, Rodallega.
Total
weekly wage budget estimate: ₤300,
000.
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