The 9th of August saw the transfer window slam shut and the Premier League clubs are now no longer eligible to make inclusions either on loan or sign free agents until January. But the lower league clubs are allowed to secure loan signings as well as Bosman transfers until 31st August and a few Championship clubs, in need of further strengthening, should explore the options available in the market who won’t cost a penny.
Here we have shortlisted three such names who should be pursued as potential back-stops and will add value to any outfit due to their experience as well as quality exhibited before.
Jan Kirchhoff
Age: 27
Country: Germany
Last Played For Bolton Wanderers
The former Germany youth international was one of the highly rated prodigies a couple of years back when Bayern Munich, the supergiants of Bundesliga, snapped him up from Mainz 05. But the 6 ft 5 in centre-back struggled to attain minutes in a star-studded Bavarian line up and a loan stint at Schalke did not work out for him either.
He, however, joined Sunderland back in January a couple of years ago and made an immediate impact in English football by helping the Black Cats escaping a relegation scare. He was deployed successfully in a defensive midfield role but a devastating injury blow ruled him out for the next season that saw Sunderland finally demoted to the second tier.
Kirchhoff was released upon expiration of his contract and had a brief spell towards the end of the previous term at Bolton Wanderers. The player has regained his fitness now and should be roped in by any means to utilize his versatility and experience of the highest order.
Martin Cranie
Age: 31
Country: England
Last Played For Middlesbrough
Cranie, the immensely experienced Football Leauge star, has been training with West Bromwich Albion and featured in a few pre-season friendlies as well in the aftermath of being released by Middlesbrough at the end of the 2017–18 season.
He joined Boro from Huddersfield Town on the winter transfer deadline day earlier this year after playing his part in the Terriers’ incredible Premier League promotion under David Wagner. Darren Moore, the Baggies boss, is still in search of a right fullback following the injury woes of Allan Nyom and the failed attempts to wrap up the signing of Yeovil Town youngster Thomas James and Rangers skipper James Tavernier might now see him offering a contract to the ex-England youth international.
Cranie is still in good shape despite playing little football in the past couple of years and will inject his Championship experience for the recently relegated West Midlands club.
Age: 27
Country: England
Last Played For Queens Park Rangers
Once a promising Arsenal youngster, Emmanuel-Thomas failed to meet the expectations and spent the majority of his time in the lower leagues of English football. The attacker was banished from first-team action last season by Ian Holloway at QPR and was released at the end of the 2017-18 season fuelling talks of joining the non-league outfit Billericay Town.
But the player denied the reports and is still up for the grab before the end of this month. He is versatile, can feature in multiple attacking roles and his physicality will come in handy for most English teams.