Jonjo Shelvey has offered a surprising career lifeline to Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and other players still without a club.
The former Liverpool, Swansea and Newcastle midfielder is the manager of Dubai-based Arabian Falcons.
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The Falcons are a young club having only been founded in 2023, and they currently play in the UAE Second Division League, which is the second tier of UAE football.
The six-cap former England international has been joined by ex-Crystal Palace and Southampton forward Jason Puncheon as director of football.
And in his squad, he can call upon Premier League winner Danny Simpson and Ravel Morrison, who was once tipped to be a world-class player.
When asked if any of the high-profile free agents had expressed interest, Shelvey told Hawksbee and Jacobs: “There are a couple that have got in touch.
“I don’t really deal with that side of it. I am trying to manage the team because I want to get promoted this year.
“But it is a fantastic opportunity for people if that is what they are looking for at this stage of their career, or if they are struggling to get a club.
“Once the UK window shuts, you are scrambling for clubs, so we put out a call to see if there was anyone who was interested.
“There are no strings attached to it. They can leave and go to bigger clubs whenever they are ready.
“But we can offer that Dubai lifestyle, and bigger names are coming out here.
“The window is open until the end of September, so the option is there for these players to join or even come and train with us.”
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Shelvey’s managerial leap
The 34-year-old became the Falcons’ manager after initially joining the club from Burnley and playing for them until his retirement earlier this year.
And he’s loving life in the Middle East, adding: “I’ve really enjoyed it.
“The football is growing and evolving, and I am grateful to come out here.
“We train at 7am for about an hour and a half before the humidity and heat picks up.
“But I’ve always had an interest in it throughout my career, and my legs were giving way, so it’s come hand in hand.
“I am grateful for the opportunity, and it’s a great club to be at.”
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Arabian Falcons issue call to all
As well as Shelvey appearing on talkSPORT, the Falcons released a statement as well.
They said: “Come and Train, live and play in Dubai, with no long-term commitment required.
“Don’t sit on the sidelines. Come and show what you’ve got over in Dubai.”
And when you see the list of current free agents, Shelvey could build a hell of a side.
Notable free agents
- Jadon Sancho
- Riyad Mahrez
- Karim Benzema
- Raheem Sterling
- Dani Carvajal
- Wilfried Zaha
- Anthony Martial
- David Alaba
- Paul Pogba
- Tanguy Ndombele
- Philippe Coutinho
- Renato Sanches
- Yves Bissouma
- Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Marcelo Brozovic
- Abdoulaye Doucoure
- Raphael Guerreiro
- Mauro Icardi
- James Rodriguez
- Ricardo Pereira
- Andrea Belotti
- Danny Ings
- Dele Alli
- Pedro
- Sergio Ramos
