The summer of 2022 will see another batch of free agents become available and,
as it was twelve months ago, it’s an impressive group of players.
It’s a list which is subject to change, as new contracts and transfers can quickly be agreed
when existing deals are due to expire, but it currently includes Karim Benzema,
Roberto Firmino, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and David De Gea.
Not bad. Beyond the higher profile names and in the spirit of Sensible Transfers,
we thought we’d have another go at building a team out of some of the
lesser known free-agents – or at least those who aren’t already right at the top of the game.
So, here’s Tifo XI of players who,
as things stand, will be available for nothing when the season ends.
First, to Turkey and Fenerbahce, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
He’s recovered from a serious shoulder injury suffered in late 2021 to reclaim his national
team place, but also his reputation as one of the best young shot-stoppers in
Europe and also a ‘keeper who’s comfortable sweeping up outside his penalty box. Altay is
also terrific in one-on-one situations, which would make him a smart addition.
And, at just 24, his best years are theoretically still a long way off.
Ahead of him, we’re playing three centre-backs.
On the left is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan NDicka, who is an anticipatory
defender who is still learning, but who possesses good distribution and, at just 23, also has plenty
of developing left to do. Eintracht also play in a back-three, so he’s well used to this system.
To his right, in the centre, we’re picking Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij and outside
of him we’re selecting his club mate, Milan Skriniar. Given that losing both would create
big problem for Inter, we imagine that at least one of those players will renew at some point.
With that in mind, Athletic Club’s Inigo Martinez would be an excellent
option. Martinez is reportedly earning nearly
€100,000/week at the moment, so he’d only be available to a certain type of club.
A more affordable alternative could be Genk’s Colombian international Carlos Cuesta,
who has been playing on the right side of a back-two. He’s just 23
and is really more of a passing centre-back,
but his lack of height – he’s just 5ft10 – could be accommodated on the outside of a back-three.
Reports in Belgium suggest that Genk may have the option of activating an additional year on his
contract, but that’s unconfirmed. If so, consider this advance notice for the summer of 2024.
At wing-back we’ve got Wolves’ Nelson Semedo on the right and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael
Guerrero on the left. We’re going to play quite an attacking side,
so Semedo’s defensive abilities will be an asset. Although he’s hardly a
poor attacking option, either, and will provide decent thrust.
On the other side, long-term Portuguese international Guerreiro would be a
different kind of outlet. His set-piece delivery
is outstanding and his distribution from open play is also first-rate,
and – despite seemingly having been around forever – will only be 29 when his contract expires.
Into midfield now and we’re spoilt for choice. Adrien Rabiot,
Toni Kroos and Youri Tielemans are all free agents for now,
but we have a feeling that may change and aree heading in a different direction.
In the No.6 role: 27 year-old Ellyes Shkiri from Cologne
would provide a combative screen for our defence.
Shkiri is a Tunisian international who appeared at the recent World Cup,
and in addition to his physical ball-winning, he’s also a wholly
capable long-range passer – he’s a defensive midfielder, yes, but he’s one with some range.
Ahead of him, two players who have lost their way in recent
years. Liverpool’s Naby Keita, who is still just 27, and Houssem Aouar.
Keita is a known commodity. For many, however,
Aouar is just a name from the gossip columns. He was expected to leave Lyon a long time ago,
but he’s now 24 and remains at Stade Gerland – in fact, an ankle injury right at the beginning
of the 2022-23 season stymied his progress and it would take until October for him to become
a first-team regular again. Between his form and a tumultuous couple of years for Lyon as a club,
his potential is yet to be realized. It makes for an interesting proposition: his reputation
as a technical, progressive midfielder is well-earned, if not often seen recently,
meaning that the challenge – for someone – is to turn him into the player he can obviously become.
Up front we’ve only left space for two more players,
so they’ll have to be mobile and to be able to do a lot.
First up, Wilfried Zaha. We’ve built this team in a way that he wouldn’t have to
counter-attack, so we’re imagining more of a free-role for him here. He’s now 30,
but still playing at a high level for Crystal Palace. He’d be a source of goals,
dynamism, and attracts plenty of fouls inside and around the penalty box.
His experience would also be valuable, because he’ll be lining
up alongside Youssoufa Moukoko, Borussia Dortmund’s precociously talented teenager.
Moukoko only turned 18 in November 22 so he’s still very young and yet he’s already emerging
as an all-round forward who can score and assist goals, and who can also contribute without the
ball. Moukoko is by no means a complete player yet, but – given his talent – this will likely
be the last time he’s even close to being obtainable for all but the most affluent clubs.