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The A-League is constantly growing in regards to the level of footballing being played.
Whilst credit must go to the home grown players as well as the lesser known foreign players who have become stars such as Besart Berisha and Marcos Flores, there is no doubting the influence star power can have on the league.
The most obvious examples would be Alessandro Del Piero and Shinji Ono.
I have put together a list of 10 players who have over 50 games of English Premier League experience.
All of these players could be seen as realistic targets for most of the 10 A-League clubs that would boost the club’s profile on and off the pitch.
1. Damien Duff
The Irishman has over 450 games in the English top flight with spells at Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham.
Duff has one year left on his contract and at 34 years of age, the league winning winger could play a role similar to Harry Kewell at the Melbourne Heart where he would be deployed through the middle.
2. Paulo Ferreira
The former Portuguese international featured 141 times in the Premier League for Chelsea including appearances as captain.
Having only retired due to lack of game time, the right back could be persuaded to join an A-League club with the promise of playing time. The 34-year-old said in a 2006 interview that he has always wanted to visit Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, so maybe Brisbane Roar?
3. Shay Given
Shay Given has been recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in the last decade. Given has appeared 440 times for Blackburn, Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
At 37, Given has lost his starting spot to Brad Guzan and may look for pastures new.
This would be the perfect signing for Wellington Phoenix of whom questions have been asked of their goalkeeping stocks.
4. Chris Eagles
The former Manchester United wunderkind has 68 appearances in the Premier League with Manchester United, Burnley and his current club Bolton, who are now in the Championship.
Eagles is known for his change of pass and crossing abilities. His contract runs out at the end of the season and at 27, the English winger would be a outstanding signing for any A-League club.
5. Joey Barton
Akin to the likes of Roy Keane and new Melbourne Victory manager Kevin Muscat, Barton is a footballing hot head.
This with all the controversy attracts people to the game. Joey Barton, currently at Championship club QPR, has 188 games in the Premier League and knows how to dominate a midfield.
Aggressive traits aside, Barton is a decent footballer that would complement an attacking partner such as Marcos Flores.
Graeme Arnold would also be a good bargaining chip to lure the 31-year-old.
6. Jonathan Woodgate
A footballing enigma who has conjured up close to 250 games in the Premier League with spells at Leeds, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Spurs and Stoke.
Woodgate, who is currently in his third spell at Middlesbrough, has played with Socceroos such as Mark Schwarzer, Mark Viduka and Brad Jones who may have left a good Aussie impression on him.
If he can maintain a decent level of fitness the 33-year-old would be a coup for any side in the A-League.
7. Wes Brown
Once touted to be England’s best ever defender, Brown has seen his career blighted by constant injuries.
Despite this he has amassed over 250 appearances at Manchester United and Sunderland.
The bald-headed centre back in his prime was one of the most dominant defenders of his generation and at 34 could still play a role in an A-League title push.
His contract stipulates that he can leave on a free transfer at any stage if Brown agrees to a move away from the club.
8. Marouane Chamakh
Arsenal brought in the Moroccan on a free transfer in 2010. He made 40 league appearances for the Gunners and did manage eight goals, which isn’t as dire as some would make out.
His loan spell at West Ham proved unfruitful and he is now at Crystal Palace where he is still under pressure from the media.
Something prompted Arsene Wenger to sign him in the first place and that should warrant star status if an A-League club where to sign him.
At 29, Chamakh could become an A-League legend if a club such as Sydney FC or the Victory could accommodate his wage bill.
A move to the A-League, away from the English media could be exactly what the spiky haired striker needs.
9. Wayne Bridge
The 33-year-old left back is currently playing at Championship club Reading but has previously made 303 appearances in the Premier League at no less than six clubs. In his prime he was known for his ability to cross the ball as well as his slide tackling technique.
He has 36 caps for England so there is little doubt about his pedigree. On a free transfer, Bridge would be a strong signing for any A-League club.
10. Robbie Keane
The Irish captain has 350 games worth of Premier League experience at Coventry, Leeds, Tottenham, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa. He also has 130 caps for the Republic of Ireland, having scored 61 times.
Keane is a proven goalscorer that would shorten a teams odds of winning the A-League. He is the current captain of MLS franchise the LA Galaxy but has always maintained the desire for new challenges and is open to a move to untravelled waters.
Other notable players that could have made this list include: Phil Bardsley, Alan Hutton, Peter Lovenkrands, Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Adebayor.
So what do you Roarers think? Would these players be quality signings for your A-League clubs or would they just be a waste of time and money?
Also comment who you think would be a major signing for an A-League club either from England or elsewhere abroad.
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