DANIEL ADEMIJU IDOWU-   

With just a few days before the end of the 2023 summer transfer window, some of the biggest names and players in this generation of players are still clueless and unsure of their next step despite not declaring their retirements yet.

This is even more surprising with the recent droves of players moving to the Saudi Pro League and the MLS, including World Cup winners, Champions League regulars, and club legends of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Here are the top five players in football who are currently clubless and are free agents.

1. EDEN HAZARD

At age 32, Eden Hazard’s sharp decline in quality and productivity continues to shock and surprise those who knew what he was capable of at Chelsea, where he made over 200 appearances in seven years between 2012 and 2019, winning two UEFA Europa League and two Premier League titles amongst others.

He purely deserved the move to Real Madrid on the back of some exciting years at Stamford Bridge, but afterwards, it was evident that Real Madrid signed a liability, and how that came to be was not far-fetched. Injury problems, fitness issues and more, made it more ridiculous at barely 30.

However, after four years, Real Madrid dropped one of the most hazardous buys with respect to the club’s finances, and Hazard continues to search for a new club, with the closest link to a return being Crystal Palace and an unlikely interest from Manchester United.

2. SERGIO RAMOS

Unlike Hazard, Sergio Ramos is a Real Madrid legend, but he left the club in 2021 for French club PSG, where he spent two years before leaving this summer. Injuries stopped the Spanish defender from making it beyond double-digit appearances for the French side.

Two Euros Championships, a FIFA World Cup, multiple La Liga and French titles, as well as Four UEFA Champions League titles, have not been able to secure Ramos a move to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere.

3. DAVID DE GEA

One of the best goalkeepers in world football and a supposed Manchester United legend was ‘disgraced’ out of Old Trafford not because of loss of form, injuries, or even a drop in quality but because of the bizarre decision-making at the head of the club.

The 32-year-old won the Premier Golden Glove last season and has been Manchester United’s best player of the season for four different years, although the last came in 2018. It is surprising that such a player has not only left the club unceremoniously but also found it difficult to find another club.

His closest return has been to Real Madrid when Thibaut Courtois got injured, but the Los Blancos have signed Kepa Arrizzabalaga on loan.

4. JESSE LINGARD

Former Manchester United front man Jesse Lingard felt he had found a home in the City Ground after moving to Nottingham Forest last season, but after spending a year at the club and helping them secure a stay in the Premier League, his contract was not renewed.

Now, the former England forward is looking for a new club, and his next destination may be the MLS.

       5. TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO

Chelsea, Napoli, AC Milan, Monaco Stade Rennes, Tiemoue Bakoyoko, could not secure a place to call home despite being a Chelsea player for six years. In those six years, he only managed just over 20 games for the Blues.

Surprisingly, the 29-year-old central midfielder still has time on his side, but no team is on his side, at least for now.

 DANIEL ADEMIJU IDOWU-   

With just a few days before the end of the 2023 summer transfer window, some of the biggest names and players in this generation of players are still clueless and unsure of their next step despite not declaring their retirements yet.

This is even more surprising with the recent droves of players moving to the Saudi Pro League and the MLS, including World Cup winners, Champions League regulars, and club legends of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Here are the top five players in football who are currently clubless and are free agents.

1. EDEN HAZARD

At age 32, Eden Hazard’s sharp decline in quality and productivity continues to shock and surprise those who knew what he was capable of at Chelsea, where he made over 200 appearances in seven years between 2012 and 2019, winning two UEFA Europa League and two Premier League titles amongst others.

He purely deserved the move to Real Madrid on the back of some exciting years at Stamford Bridge, but afterwards, it was evident that Real Madrid signed a liability, and how that came to be was not far-fetched. Injury problems, fitness issues and more, made it more ridiculous at barely 30.

However, after four years, Real Madrid dropped one of the most hazardous buys with respect to the club’s finances, and Hazard continues to search for a new club, with the closest link to a return being Crystal Palace and an unlikely interest from Manchester United.

2. SERGIO RAMOS

Unlike Hazard, Sergio Ramos is a Real Madrid legend, but he left the club in 2021 for French club PSG, where he spent two years before leaving this summer. Injuries stopped the Spanish defender from making it beyond double-digit appearances for the French side.

Two Euros Championships, a FIFA World Cup, multiple La Liga and French titles, as well as Four UEFA Champions League titles, have not been able to secure Ramos a move to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere.

3. DAVID DE GEA

One of the best goalkeepers in world football and a supposed Manchester United legend was ‘disgraced’ out of Old Trafford not because of loss of form, injuries, or even a drop in quality but because of the bizarre decision-making at the head of the club.

The 32-year-old won the Premier Golden Glove last season and has been Manchester United’s best player of the season for four different years, although the last came in 2018. It is surprising that such a player has not only left the club unceremoniously but also found it difficult to find another club.

His closest return has been to Real Madrid when Thibaut Courtois got injured, but the Los Blancos have signed Kepa Arrizzabalaga on loan.

4. JESSE LINGARD

Former Manchester United front man Jesse Lingard felt he had found a home in the City Ground after moving to Nottingham Forest last season, but after spending a year at the club and helping them secure a stay in the Premier League, his contract was not renewed.

Now, the former England forward is looking for a new club, and his next destination may be the MLS.

       5. TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO

Chelsea, Napoli, AC Milan, Monaco Stade Rennes, Tiemoue Bakoyoko, could not secure a place to call home despite being a Chelsea player for six years. In those six years, he only managed just over 20 games for the Blues.

Surprisingly, the 29-year-old central midfielder still has time on his side, but no team is on his side, at least for now.