The next free agent to fall under our microscope is ex-Motherwell and Derby striker Chris Porter.
The next free agent to fall under our microscope is ex-Motherwell and Derby striker Chris Porter
Goalscorers are a rare breed and if you can unearth a proven marksman for next to nothing, then you have struck footballing gold. That should play into Chris Porter's hands this summer, as he attempts to find himself a new club. The 27-year-old has experienced life in League Two, League One, the Championship and the Scottish Premier League and has been a regular name on the scoresheet wherever he has been. Following spells at Bury, Oldham, Motherwell and Derby, and with injury troubles firmly behind him, Porter is looking to offer his services to a forward-thinking club with an attacking philosophy.
Is it concerning being a free agent in the current climate or is it something you have to accept in modern football?
It's concerning a little bit, but it's also exciting. You don't know where you're going to be, but it's going to be a fresh start for me. Hopefully a few clubs know about me already, I'm 27 now and people can make their own mind up on me. It's not too concerning, it's more exciting.
Is it exciting in the sense that you are now in a position where you can choose where you look to go next?
Exactly. If you have had a couple of good seasons behind you it would be easier to pick and choose, but if there are a few clubs interested then you have the option of picking where you want to go to.
Are you a bit frustrated to find yourself in this position, though, after seeing injuries hamper your progress at Derby?
Definitely. I got off to a flying start when I joined Derby but the last two seasons I have had a few injuries. But I've been fit for the last six months or so now and I'm looking forward to making a fresh start. I'd like to stay in the Championship because I think I have a point to prove there. My goal ratio to games is still almost one in two, so hopefully I'll get the chance to play in the Championship again. Hopefully I can keep that ratio up and we'll see what happens.
So you aren't thinking you might have to take one step back in order to take two forward?
Hopefully not. There has been a bit of interest already from the Championship, so hopefully I can stay there. I'm hoping to get a deal in the next week or two.
What about a return to Scotland? Is that something you would be willing to consider?
I'd move anywhere, to be honest. I'd move back to Scotland if the deal was right and the club was right for me. My girlfriend is from up there, so she'd be happy with that. I'm willing to move anywhere. I'm not tied down, so I can go anywhere.
So relocation is easy for you and wouldn't be an issue?
I haven't got kids at the minute. It's good that I haven't got anything to tie me down anywhere. I can move anywhere and it wouldn't really bother me.
There is a chance you can get stuck in a vicious cycle, though, isn't there, with a lot of one-year contracts set to be handed out?
Possibly, but I'm hoping that won't happen. What I'm hoping for is for an injury-free season, and if I do that I'm sure that won't be the case for me. I can then start looking to the future.
Is there anything which can be done to help curb the amount of players dropping into the free agent market every year?
Probably not, no. There are more players coming through every year, through the academies, and there will be players who haven't performed or have had injuries or managers don't like them and want to get them out. There will always be a lot of free agents knocking about.
You're lucky in the sense that you have already proven yourself at a decent standard, but it must be tough for the younger lads that find themselves out of contract mustn't it?
That's it. For the younger lads it must be difficult. They have had their first year as a pro and things haven't worked out and then becoming a free agent is difficult because they won't have had the chance to impress many managers and scouts. It's very difficult in their scenario.
Are you hoping to get something sorted before clubs get too far into their pre-season schedule?
I'm hoping something will happen in the next week or two. Most teams tend to go back around this time, so the sooner the better for me really. But I'm not panicking yet, we will have to see what happens. I have got a few things in the pipeline. Most of the wheels are moving so we'll just have to see what happens over the course of the next week or so.
To see the full list of players currently available as free agents, provided by the PFA, click
here.
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