Owen Hargeaves' bizarre online self-advertisement acts a reminder of the talent that is available to Premier League clubs in the form of free agents. The former Manchester United man has tongue firmly in cheek in proving his fitness in gym-based YouTube videos, but is nonetheless a come-and-get-me plea. There are plenty of other big names without a club as the new season approaches.
Hargreaves heads the list of players released due to injury problems that also includes Jonathan Woodgate. Both former England internationals would command a starting place in most top flight teams if fully fit, but the word if is crucial here; between them they have made five league appearances in the last two seasons.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have declined to offer 'pay as you play' deals, but there must surely be other Premier League clubs willing to take this chance. Both men are used to earning big money, but their time on the sidelines means they would jump at the chance to play regularly virtually anywhere. Those looking at the Premier League odds will be wondering if someone will take a chance.
Age is another reason for clubs not renewing contracts. Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Marcus Hahnemann are past their best but were recently supposed to be good enough to compete at the top level. The former two require large wages and might opt for retirement rather than humbly dropping down the league ladder, but the American stopper is just one of many goalkeepers available.
Richard Kingson, Maik Taylor and Iain Turner have varying degrees of Premier League experience but would be good back-up options at a time when reliable keepers are thin on the ground. 39-year-old Taylor is certainly reliable, the latter two, noted for high-profile errors, less so.
Nigel Reo-Coker, Matthew Upson, John Carew, Danny Gabbidon, John Pantsil and James McFadden are players without clubs who feel they have something to prove after falling out of favour with previous clubs and supporters.
A fresh start should make them motivated and fresh, although the feeling that they are damaged goods might accompany them. This applies to all free agents and whilst most might prove to be expensive mistakes, one or two are sure to evolve into bargains.
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