The next free agent to fall under our microscope is ex-Charlton and Blackpool forward Jason Euell.
The next free agent to fall under our microscope is former Charlton and Blackpool forward Jason Euell
Having spent the vast majority of his career competing in the Premier League, Jason Euell is a free agent of considerable pedigree. He once commanded a £4.75million transfer fee when Charlton snapped him up from Wimbledon, and since then he has gone on to represent Middlesbrough, Southampton, Blackpool and Doncaster with distinction. Now more of a forward-thinking midfielder than an out-and-out striker, the 34-year-old's considerable experience could prove invaluable to an ambitious Football League outfit.
What's your situation at the moment? Is it worrying at all being a free agent in the current climate?
It is a little bit. This is the second time it has happened in my career. The last time was when I left Southampton. They got relegated at the time and the club were in a transitional period regarding takeovers. It wasn't too bad because once my contract had ended I was allowed to come back and train while the takeover was being sorted and things were being discussed contract wise. At the moment I am not sure where I will be for pre-season. That's the worrying side of it, because you don't want to miss too much pre-season training because you miss out on teamwork. I am just training and staying focused.
So are you hoping that something will come up in early July, with all the clubs reporting back for pre-season?
Yeah, that would be the ideal plan. I don't want to miss too many days in pre-season because then you have to play catch up. When you have a contract you know when you are due back and have time to get to know your team-mates and settle in quickly ready for the start of the new season.
You have plenty of experience now, are you in a position where you can pick and choose a bit?
It's not so much about rejecting offers, it's about choosing the right club, especially when you have a family and your decisions are based on a number of things.
There are more and more players becoming free agents every year, it's concerning isn't it - especially for younger players?
It is for all players whatever the age. The deals that are on the table are not like they used to be. You are only really getting contracts year on year, which doesn't really give players an opportunity to settle down and to think long-term. It's always hard when you are on short contracts, especially for the younger players, because you never have that stability.
What's your mindset at the moment? Are you sitting tight or are you being proactive in your search for a new club?
My agent has been proactive. All you can do is wait because you just don't know when clubs are going to make decisions. It's been pretty slow so far. A lot tends to happen in June, but it's been pretty quiet this year. I don't know if that's down to the Premier League not doing as much and it is filtering down, or maybe people are being a bit more cautious and don't want to dive into things.
I understand you have been keeping yourself busy, though, while you wait for something to come along. What have you been up to?
I have re-started my Level Two coaching badges this summer and I have been doing my mentoring programme 'Reaching Goals' with Jigsaw4U a charity I am a patron of. I have also been doing some training as well, so I've been keeping busy.
Have you given any thought as to the level you would like to play at? Are you looking at the Championship?
Yeah, I'm still looking at the Championship. I'm not taking anything for granted, I still feel I am capable of playing at that level, without a doubt. I played there at Blackpool two seasons ago and went on loan to Doncaster last year and scored a few goals. All professionals look to play at the highest level, you cannot close any doors. In football, you never know where your career will take you. Being out of contract is just part of the profession.
Are you planning on relocating again? Are you hoping to maybe get a club back down south?
You never know where football will take you. If the right club came up for me and my family, then I would be happy to make that happen. But the location is not too important on my side, it's just about finding the right club.
What about AFC Wimbledon? You could take your career full circle. That would be some story wouldn't it?
It would be. There has been a lot of activity on Twitter since they got promoted. They are trying to push for something to happen. Again, it's one of those scenarios where you just never know.
It is still early days, though, and I take it you are confident that something will get sorted in the end?
Yeah, definitely. I feel very confident that something will happen. I am happy with the way I ended last season and I'm looking forward to the new season and the next challenge in my career.
To see the full list of players currently available as free agents, provided by the PFA, click
here.
We would like to hear your thoughts on the best free transfers out there. Who should we be talking to? Who are this summer's bargains? Who should your club be targeting?
Maybe you are a player that would like to be featured, or an agent looking to get a client fixed up for next season.
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