Free Agents Norwich City Should Sign
With the announcement of retained and released players for
Premier League clubs being tweeted by the Premier League Twitter account, there
are a few names that Norwich City could potentially snap up. Be it on a long-term
basis or just to stay for the season and look to propel us back to the Premier
League for the 17/18 season.
The Championship seems to have become a playground for young
players from the home nations to try and stake their claim to get into a lower
mid table Premier League side, as well as a graveyard for veterans of the
Premier League who used to be decent in it a couple of years ago. The players
on this list fall into either category.
That said, Norwich City could well benefit from signing some
easily acquired free agents to keep cash available for priority signings, while
also adding to the depth of the squad to try and propel us back to the Premier
League at the first time of asking. Yet should they flop, selling them on would
result in profit regardless of the transfer fee.
Nick Powell
At the tender age of 22 the young Attacking Midfielder could
be a suitable heir to the Hoolahan shaped hole behind the striker for the next
few years. With a reputation as being something of a ‘Loanee Journeyman’ at
this early stage in his career he will no doubt be looking for a side he can
cement himself into for a few years. With spells at Wigan Athletic (13-14) and
Hull City (15-16) Powell has got Championship experience, however his season
was thwarted by a knee injury sustained in the early stages of the season. But
his Wigan record is impressive with 7 goals and 2 assists in his solitary
season there as well as 6 games 3 goals and 1 assist for the Latics in the
Europa League that season. Powell earned roughly £30,000 a month on his
previous contract.
Brede Hangeland
One player who was at the top of his game with Fulham 5
years ago and at the age of 34 could be a useful leader in a dressing room
crying out for one or two. Although he may be old and at the back end of his
career I feel signing Hangeland on a free for a season just to have his
influence and leadership qualities would be worth paying the £15,000 a week he
would probably ask for. Although he has never played in the Championship
Hangeland would be a reliable back up and would allow for a different option to
Bassong or Martin when Klose or Bennett inevitably get injured, plus Brede has
only ever been sent off once in his 9 Premier League seasons, something I feel
underlines his level headedness.
Leon Osman
Another elder of the Premier League Osman is nearing his
last season in the game at the age of 35 and I’d happily allow him his last
hurrah in yellow and green. While 35 years of age is very old for a Central
Midfielder in today’s game I feel he would have a similar impression on the
side as Gary O’Neil had this season but with more flair and less mistakes.
Another who’d command roughly £15,000 weekly I could see Osman for a season
being a piece of business that would go quite smoothly under the radar, and
could be a deal that brings in more experience and leadership to this
egotistical NCFC team.
Steven Pienaar
Another of Everton’s old guard clear-out to make way for
Koeman’s potential influx of foreign names with Everton’s new money. At the age
of 34 Pienaar could be another who would be a decent cover for a squad very
thin on natural wingers, he would be able to provide cover for an over worked
Brady as well as a role model for the young Murphy twins should they get the
chance to force their way into the side their form last season deserved.
However Pienaar has struggled for appearances over the past two seasons and
like Hangeland and Osman is definitely on his last legs. However I do see
potential in signing him up on a short-term deal in case we have another poor
summer window in which we fail to sign good players able to compete with the
first team. The trio would be what free agent signings are supposed to be:
squad players. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Pienaar would also
probably sign for around £15,000 a week.
Gaston Ramirez
Although he seems to have been around for a while, some
would be surprised to learn that Ramirez is only 25. The Uruguayan flopped
after his big money move to Southampton at the age of 21 and has spent the last
few years desperately trying to show off his talents on loan deals at Hull and
Middlesbrough respectively, yet has seen his name on the bottom of the release
papers for Southampton FC for 2015-16. Ramirez made 18 appearances for 'Boro in
their promotion-winning season scoring on 7 occasions and assisting 4 times.
The attacking midfielder would be another potential replacement for Hoolahan
when he inevitably retires, which the Irishman has hinted could be as soon as
after the Euros. Admittedly a gamble of a signing this free agent could turn
out to be one free transfer nearly as shrewd as Bradley Johnson from Leeds back
in 2011. I believe Gaston Ramirez would have to take a pay cut from his
estimated £50,000 per week if he were to join the Canaries however.
Victor Anichebe
One that could split opinion the 28 year old target man
would also be available on a free transfer this summer and I believe he could
have a similar impact on the Championship next season as Jerome had in 14-15.
While Anichebe has struggled this term for WBA I will admit he would probably
be surplus to requirement if we were to bounce straight back the Premier
League, however I can see Anichebe bagging 15-20 goals in the Championship and
that could well prove the difference between going up and staying down. I hate
to say it once more, but Anichebe would probably ask for around £15,000.
