Sports
2023 Transfer: Top 5 World-Class Footballers Who Are Currently Clubless
Some famous footballers are currently without a club even though most top leagues across the world have halted their transfer window while some are on the verge of doing so.
According to the arrangement of the world football governing body, FIFA, all summer transfer windows of its member federations must be halted on or before September 20.
Elite leagues in Europe ended their 2023 summer transfer window on September 1. The Saudi Pro League will close its transfer window today, September 7. The Turkish league will end its transfer window on or before September 17.
Despite this, some famous footballers who are currently without a club or out of contract with their most recent clubs, are yet to land a new side.
Below are the top five famous footballers who are currently without a club:
1. David De Gea
David De Gea is one of the most famous footballers who is currently without a club despite still looking sharp for elite football. The 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper was Manchester United’s top-choice goalkeeper until his contract expired on June 30, 2023.
United attempted to renew his contract but due to Erik ten Hag’s lack of interest in his style of goalkeeping, the negotiations dragged until his contract expired.
Even after that, the goalkeeper who was ready to accept a pay cut to remain at Old Trafford, waited for the club to make up their mind until he grew impatient and decided to leave the club, especially after the arrival of Cameroonian goalkeeper Adre Onana from Inter Milan.
2. Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard used to be one of the most famous footballers in the world especially when he was at Chelsea. But his highly celebrated move to Real Madrid in 2019 marked the beginning of his downfall in the game.
After a series of injuries forced him to the bench, season in and season out, Real Madrid and the 32-year-old Belgian forward decided to part ways at the end of last season. Since then, no club has made a concrete effort to sign him as he has reportedly started contemplating his retirement.
3. Jesse Lingard
Manchester United academy graduate, Jesse Lingard used to be seen as one of the future mega superstars in the game.
But his form dropped forcing Manchester United to send him on loan to West Ham United where it looked like he had rediscovered his talent.
West Ham tried to give him a permanent deal but the 30-year-old attacking midfielder decided to return to Manchester United to fight for a place in the team.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t and decided to leave Old Trafford for Nottingham Forest in 2022. Forest didn’t waste time to let him go after the end of last season and he is hoping for a new club to date.
4. Phil Jones
Phil Jones spent his lengthy career at Manchester United sitting mostly on the bench. In his 12 years at Old Trafford, he managed to play 169 Premier League games as a defensive midfielder or defender due to lingering injury issues.
United finally allowed the 30-year-old defender to leave the club at the end of last season and he is currently contemplating retirement or accepting any suitable offer which seems not to be forthcoming.
5. Danny Rose
Danny Rose is the oldest player on this list. The 33-year-old English left-back made his name at Tottenham Hotspur between 2007 and 2021.
Things went south for him when he decided to move to Watford ahead of the 2021-2022 season. He decided not to follow the club into relegation at the end of the said season and has remained without a club since then.
Most pundits anticipate that the 29-capped England international will announce his retirement from football before the end of this year.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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