Tuesday, 29 April 2003.
Young and old, defenders and strikers - there are hundreds of players out of contract at the end of the season, it's now all about the next move. TheFA.com puts the spotlight on three of this summer's Bosman boys in the first of a new daily series...
Patrik Berger
Nationality: Czech
Place of Birth: Prague, Czech Rep.
Date of Birth: 10 November 1973
Weight: 13 00
Height: 6' 1''
Club: Liverpool
Position: Midfield
Pedigree: The long-haired one was snapped up by Liverpool after he helped the Czech Republic reach the final of Euro 96. His time at Anfield has been a mixture of highs and lows, a couple of long-range howitzer goals proved his talent but this season he hasn't figured in Gerard Houllier's first-team plans. With Liverpool looking at Damian Duff, it seems Berger will slip out of the club quietly this summer.
Pros and cons: Shortage of left-sided Englishmen mean Berger will have plenty of admirers. The only consistent thing about him is his inconsistency.
Options: Celtic were looking at a £2million offer last season, Southampton are also interested. But a move to Germany's Bundesliga is the most likely with 1860 Munich firm favourites.
They say: "We have a large squad, it's not about making it bigger but better. Some players will come to the end of their contracts and go." Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry.
|
Year |
Club |
Apps. |
Goals |
|
1991/92 |
Slavia Prague |
20 |
3 |
|
1992/93 |
Slavia Prague |
29 |
10 |
|
1993/94 |
Slavia Prague |
12 |
4 |
|
1994/95 |
Slavia Prague |
28 |
7 |
|
1995/96 |
B Dortmund |
25 |
4 |
|
1996/97 |
Liverpool |
23 |
6 |
|
1997/98 |
Liverpool |
22 |
3 |
|
1998/99 |
Liverpool |
32 |
7 |
|
1999/00 |
Liverpool |
34 |
9 |
|
2000/01 |
Liverpool |
14 |
2 |
|
2001/02 |
Liverpool |
21 |
1 |
|
2002/03 |
Liverpool |
1 |
0 |
Steven Caldwell
Nationality: Scottish
Place of Birth: Stirling, Scotland
Date of Birth: 12 September 1980
Weight: 11 05
Height: 6' 0''
Club: Newcastle United
Position: Defender
Pedigree: Strong central defender who has played for Scotland but has dropped down the pecking order at Newcastle following this season's signings of Titus Bramble and Jonathan Woodgate. Has still managed a dozen appearances for the club this season and scored in the north-east derby against Middlesbrough
Pros and cons: Versatile player who can fit in anywhere in defence, although centre-half is his preferred position. Sir Bobby Robson clearly believes he hasn't quite got the ability to be in a championship-winning side
Options: Highly-rated in Scotland, where he and brother Gary have played in the same under-21 side. Glasgow Rangers have been long-term admirers
He says: "If I am forced to move on, I know I can do a job somewhere."
|
Year |
Club |
Apps. |
Goals |
|
1997/98 |
Newcastle Utd |
0 |
0 |
|
1998/99 |
Newcastle Utd |
0 |
0 |
|
1999/00 |
Newcastle Utd |
0 |
0 |
|
2000/01 |
Newcastle Utd |
9 |
0 |
|
2001/02 |
Newcastle Utd |
0 |
0 |
|
2001/02 |
Blackpool (loan) |
0 |
0 |
|
2001/02 |
Bradford (loan) |
6 |
0 |
|
2002/03 |
Newcastle Utd |
6 |
1 |
Jamie Cureton
Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Bristol, England
Date of Birth: 28 August 1975
Weight: 10 07
Height: 5' 8''
Club: Reading
Position: Forward
Pedigree: The former Norwich and Bristol Rovers striker banged in 16 goals for Reading in their promotion-winning season last year but has been relegated to the subs' bench for a lot of this campaign, although he has still managed eight goals.
Pros and cons: A natural finisher, Jamie's pace and early shooting always gives defenders nightmares; his small frame means he isn't suited to playing with his back to goal.
Options: Everyone needs a goalscorer so Jamie will attract plenty of interest in the First Division if Reading don't make a new offer
He says: "Reading haven't talked me yet about a new deal so I'm able to weigh up my options."
|
Year |
Club |
Apps. |
Goals |
|
1992/93 |
Norwich City |
0 |
0 |
|
1993/94 |
Norwich City |
0 |
0 |
|
1994/95 |
Norwich City |
17 |
4 |
|
1995/96 |
Norwich City |
12 |
2 |
|
1995/96 |
Bournemouth (loan) |
5 |
0 |
|
1996/97 |
Norwich City |
0 |
0 |
|
1996/97 |
Bristol Rovers |
38 |
11 |
|
1997/98 |
Bristol Rovers |
43 |
13 |
|
1998/99 |
Bristol Rovers |
46 |
25 |
|
1999/00 |
Bristol Rovers |
46 |
22 |
|
2000/01 |
Bristol Rovers |
1 |
1 |
|
2000/01 |
Reading |
43 |
26 |
|
2001/02 |
Reading |
38 |
15 |
|
2002/03 |
Reading |
13 |
8 |
Log on tomorrow for the next installment of 'The Bosman Boys'
Compiled by Joe Bernstein
Statistics by James Wright