da pinup bet： The transfer window may have slammed shut, but there are still deals to be done if you can find the right player among the pile of shattered rubble that is the list of free agents still available to pick up for free.
da 888： With the Championship season well and truly underway, and with teams settling down into a rhythm of form, now would be a good time to assess what the squad needs and try to add something to push the team further up the table and towards the promised land of the Premier League.
Leeds United are sitting smack bang in midtable at the moment, only four points off the play-offs but only three above the drop zone. The small margins are, of course, because it’s early days, but that’s also the kind of perilous position you can only find yourself in in the Championship.
So, like a rag-picker scavenging through discarded vestments, or a student frantically searching for a place in clearing, here are six players who Leeds can still pick up on a free who might benefit their squad and help a push for promotion.
Kevin Nolan
The first name that springs to mind might be the one most Championship fans hope their club’s manager isn’t thinking of. Nolan’s age would put many off. As, perhaps, would his tainting by association with Big Sam Allardyce.
But I shouldn’t have to remind anyone that Nolan is a capable, committed player who gives his all to every cause and still has a bit of skill and technique in his old legs. He knows both the Premier League and the Championship very well and with Leeds’ young squad starting to look upwards, Nolan could be a sensible addition to the squad. He’ll add more steal to the midfield – no bad thing in the Championship – and pop up with a goal or two. He would also be a good influence on the young midfielders in the squad, helping them to develop and keeping them on the straight and narrow.
Carlton Cole
Another West Ham releasee, and another player who’s been around the Premier League. Released for real this time by the Hammers, Cole is a robust striker who will lead the line with aplomb.
At 31, he’s not getting any younger, but like Nolan his experience could be invaluable to the squad. Perhaps given that the squad now has some exciting young talent, Rosler could blend experience with this youth, giving them the chance to play week in and week out without fearing inexperience. Older heads coupled with young legs is a recipe for success in the Championship – what you do after that is a different matter.
Ondrej Mazuch
Not a household name in English football, Czech Republic international Ondrej Mazuch was part of the Dnipro team who made it all the way to the final of the Europa League last season, before succumbing to Sevilla 3-2 in a very watchable final.
Mazuch was a reported target for West Ham at one point – I see a theme gathering speed, and no, I am not a West Ham fan… or Sam Allardyce – and would be a good addition to a Championship side.
Emmanuel Eboue
An old head, yet again, the Ivorian is well-known to English fans for his time at Arsenal where he came through the ranks and became a first-team regular before losing his place and moving on to Turkey.
Leeds have some good young full-backs and Eboue might seem like he’d be taking their place and stunting growth, but in reality, players like Charlie Taylor and Sam Byram will probably end up playing further up the park in any case. They’ve both also been linked with moves away from the club, so bring in cover early is no bad thing – though waiting until they get any potential transfer fee makes sense too.
Shola Ameobi
A proven Premier League goalscorer who can also handle the physical side of the game, which is bread and butter in the Championship.
Ameobi would represent another player who knows the ropes and could guide younger players through the season, but he would also provide real firepower up front and compliment Chris Wood and Mirco Antenucci up front.
Jerome Thomas
A player who Leeds wanted to keep hold of a few seasons ago, Thomas is a wide player and that might come in useful for United over the course of the season given the lack of width and pace in the team just now.
Stuart Dallas and Sam Byram have been providing it so far, but extra cover and a bit of competition should do no harm, and given that he’s available on a free transfer, it could be a good signing.