With transfer budgets slashed in recent years to reflect the more frugal state of the Premier League - apart from on the highest rung of the club ladder, where European qualification makes more funds readily available - the need to find bargain players, cheap wonderkids and free transfers becomes increasingly important. This year's Football Manager release comes with the usual elongated list of free agents and non-contract players: the majority of whom are not worthy of your scouts' time - but there are some gems in amongst the free agents who can become strong additions to Premier League and Championship squads. They might be older, slower and less agile, but these players are the best available options from the free transfers list, who should be considered at least essential squad options, particularly for teams limited by lower budgets, and with aspirations for quick short term progress, or a squad heavy on younger, developmental talent. Obviously, please note the ratings included here are taken from the Review build of the game, and not the finished version, so things may change last minute - such as a couple of players joining clubs in the week or so before release.
Honourable Mention
Keisuke Honda (Japan)
Position: MC Age: 27 Not actually a free agent at the outset of the game, veteran Japanese midfielder Honda, who remains attached to CSKA Moscow in the summer, but can be signed on a pre-contract agreement, to join up with your squad as the January transfer window opens. Honda is an essential purchase for any Premier League club looking to add quality to midfield, though the focus on the more modern split midfield (of holding players and attackers) makes his flatter midfield preference something of an antiquity. Wages of around £30k might be out of the question for smaller Premier League clubs, but if you have the budget, put in £35k to ensure he doesn't go to one of his other suitors.