The FFA has made one of its priorities this season to sign big marquee players in order to attract bigger crowds. Today I take a look at six free agents your A-League club should sign.
Claudio Yacob
The former West Bromwich Albion man recently left the Baggies after their relegation from the EPL. The Argentinian played 160 games over six seasons as a defensive midfielder. At 31 years of age he is coming to a very similar point as Keisuke Honda and has ruled out his home nation as a next destination.
The three-time international representative would need a wage of around $3.3 million per year. With $1.4 million left in the FFA marquee player fund, a club would have to fork out $1.9 million.
Possible clubs: Melbourne City, Western Sydney, Sydney FC.
Robert Huth
German players are coming to the Wanderers due to Markus Babbel taking charge and Robert Huth could join them. Robert Huth played 19 times for Germany and in the EPL for Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Stoke and most recently winning a title with Leicester. The 34-year-old reportedly wants a move to one of the Berlin clubs, although it is unlikely they could afford a wage of around $3.4 million per year. A club would have to pay $2 million of his wages.
Possible Clubs: Melbourne City, Western Sydney.
Mathieu Flamini
The three-time French international has been heavily linked with the Brisbane Roar and is looking to expand his business, GF Biochemicals, here. The 34-year-old has played for Marseille, Arsenal, AC Milan, Crystal Palace and most recently Getafe.
Flamini may not even be a marquee, with his most recent wage being around $1.2 million per year. Mathieu has been known to fans for quite some time and could definitely get crowds in.
Possible clubs: Any, but most likely Brisbane.
(Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Benoit Tremoulinas
The left back could be one of the cheaper options for a marquee player. Tremoulinas played five games for Spanish outfit Sevilla over three seasons. At 32 years of age the Frenchman is going past his peak and has been a free agent for over a year now due to a knee injury.
He will probably need a yearly wage of about $2.4 million, which could possibly leave something in the marquee fund afterwards.
Possible clubs: Melbourne City, Western Sydney, Sydney FC, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane.
Michael Essien
Michael Essien was approached by Melbourne Victory in late 2016 but rejected them. There is no reason why a club couldn’t go in for him. The former Lyon, Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan player would probably join one of the smaller clubs such as Newcastle or Wellington.
A 58-time Ghana representative, Essien will probably need a wage of around just $1 million per year. He has been linked to Swedish club Goteborg, which could be an issue.
Possible clubs: Any, but most likely Newcastle or Wellington.
Stephan Ireland
The Manchester City youth product was recently released by the relegated Stoke City and is still on the hunt for a new club. The 32-year-old has represented his country six times, scoring four goals for them. He has also played for Newcastle and Aston Villa.
If the A-League wants attacking players, then this is where they should go. He would need a wage of around $2.8 million per year, with the FFA and a club probably going 50-50.
Possible clubs: Melbourne City, Western Sydney, Sydney FC.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Emi Martinez was saved by a new rule that resets yellow cards at the end of extra time, meaning his second yellow for taunting…
This season the top five leagues rankings of European football have been flipped on its head, as new competition heavyweights emerge. Just look at…
In all likelihood, just sixth spot remains up for grabs as we approach the final three rounds of A-League action in season 2023/24 and…
Not only did Erling Haaland's header hit the bar, but Bernardo Silva missed the rebound tap-in that came off his knee. Manchester City went…
After Manchester City saved Luka Modric's shot, the person in the stands didn't return the ball, holding up the penalty shootout for almost a…
Bayern Munich scored the only goal to defeat Arsenal 1-nil and progress to the semifinals. Former player Martin Keown says it's disappointing his former…
