With the summer transfer window now closed, there are still many clubs that are not finished with building their squads for the 2023/24 season. Strangely, there are still many good quality players available as free agents despite the season being more than a month old.
Therefore, I have tasked myself with researching the current free agent market as well as identifying the League One and League Two clubs that I believe would be a perfect fit for the player. It will be interesting to see which clubs are to delve into the free agent market following Friday’s 11pm deadline.
To compile this list, I have tried to balance realism with how much the player and club would benefit from the potential transfer. I feel all of these players would be affordable for the clubs named as well as willing to drop into the third/fourth tier.
Without further ado, let’s look at the five free agents that I have selected.
Jesse Debrah
Despite being the subject to a plethora of interest and competition across League One and League Two this summer, the Croydon-born central defender still remains without a club following his move to League One outfit Barnsley falling through.
Only 22 years of age, the pacy right sided defender showed his worth at The Shay last year, starring for Halifax as they lifted the FA Trophy. Following on from this, Debrah ended his two year spell in West Yorkshire as he turned down a new contract in order to move into EFL football.
Due to the player’s age, any club signing Debrah would be required to pay Halifax Town a compensation fee, which appears to have proven to be a stumbling block.
Ideal Club – Notts County
Despite Barnsley proving a good pathway for National League players, I believe a move to Notts County would be perfect for all parties.
The current League Two leaders play an attractive brand of football, with defender Kyle Cameron key to how Luke Williams’ side play the ball out from the back. Also averaging the most possession in the division at 64.7% – five percent more than any other side in the division.
Despite this, The Magpies have found themselves susceptible in behind, with the back line crying out for pace. Therefore, I believe Debrah’s recovery pace tied in with his abilities on the ball would be a big yet suitable upgrade for the Notts defence.
Callum Ainley
The former Crewe Alexandra academy graduate Callum Ainley is also without a club, following his release from the Cheshire outfit in June. The 25-year-old had been with the club for over a decade, graduating from the academy before going on to make over 250 appearances for The Railwaymen.
Ainley plays his best football as an attacking midfielder, as proven during his time with Alexandra. A very technically gifted player with an eye for a pass, the 25-year-old will be looking for a fresh start after spending his whole career at The Mornflake Stadium.
Ideal Club – Grimsby Town
To this point, the Grimsby Town midfield has been impressive and effective. With the star quality of Kamil Conteh partnered by the energetic dynamo Harry Clifton and the experienced Gavan Holohan, Paul Hurst’s pressing game has been well executed by the trio this season.
However, one concern that many Mariners fans have found so far this season is how isolated Danny Rose has found himself at points, possibly due to the injuries to Rekeil Pyke and Donovan Wilson. Therefore, I feel Ainley’s technical ability would help to provide both creativity in the midfield as well as a link between Rose and the rest of the side, as Rose plays his best with forwards close to him.
Gary Madine
The journeyman was released by Blackpool at the end of last campaign after making 100 appearances in a three year spell at the coastal club.
Now 33, Madine is entering the twilight years of his career; however, I still believe the striker has much to offer at League One level. With a wealth of experience playing for various EFL clubs – featuring for Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City over the years – he also boasts several promotions on his CV.
Usually operating as a target man, Madine makes use of his physicality and aerial presence and proves a tough test for any opposing defender.
Ideal club – Wycombe Wanderers
Direct, physical and horrible to play against – Madine suits Wycombe to a tee.
Experience is usually favoured at Wycombe and their squad already has it in abundance with the likes of Sam Vokes, Richard Keogh and Luke Leahy. However, I feel he would still provide a different yet valuable option both on and off the pitch, his promotion experience being invaluable to a side looking to challenge the third tier play offs.
Josh Emmanuel
Continuing the trend of former Bolton Wanderers players, Josh Emmanuel is yet to find a club following his release from Grimsby Town in the summer.
The right-back’s career has seen much better days, once a very bright prospect at Hull City before having his career hampered by injuries. He signed a short term deal across the Humber at Grimsby Town last January where he played football for the first time in over a year, making 15 starts for Paul Hurst’s side as he looked to regain his fitness.
Still 26, the skilful right-wing back could still have the best years of his career to come if he can stay injury free.
Ideal Club – Peterborough United
One thing that Josh Emmanuel’s career needs at the moment is patience. From watching him myself at Grimsby Town, Emmanuel’s quality above fourth tier level was clear to see; however, his ability to carry that quality throughout the full 90 minutes was not so clear – which is to be expected from a player who dropped down two leagues after facing a spell on the sidelines for over a year.
Therefore, I feel that with Peterborough currently having Peter Kioso on loan, this would give Emmanuel a positive environment to develop his fitness without any necessary pressure to come in to the side and perform instantaneously. His quality is definitely of Peterborough’s level, it is just a case of his fitness matching that after an extremely difficult few years.
Ryan Edwards
Finishing off our list is former Dundee United captain, Ryan Edwards. Edwards has been subject to interest in League One and League Two but he is yet to secure a move.
Edwards has an abundance of experience at EFL level, with over 200 appearances for the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool and Morecambe. He is also no stranger to the occasional goal, a useful asset to have.
At 29 years of age, Edwards is a proven leader possessing a great amount of pedigree in League One and League Two. As a result, he would be a valuable addition to clubs in either division.
Ideal Club – Leyton Orient
This was a difficult choice, there are many clubs at the bottom end of League One and the top end of League Two that I could see Edwards drastically improving; however, I have settled for Leyton Orient.
Last year’s League Two champions will be frustrated with their return to the third tier, holding the worst defensive record in the division after the first six games despite boasting the meanest defence in the fourth tier last year.
The newly promoted side have faced some tough tests in the forms of Portsmouth, Charlton and Wycombe Wanderers and are in dire need of shoring up their defence if they are to compete in the third tier and stand up to the daunting prospect of better opposition.
Edwards still has a lot to offer in terms of his quality and leadership and would come in to slowly but surely improve Richie Wellens’ defence.
With that being said, would you take any of these free agents at your club? Or is there a player that I have missed?
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