It is a mystery at how much players are built up before they have even kicked a ball in the Premier League and here is a look at the top ten footballing mysteries that have occurred in the Premier League over the past 20 years.

Click on Mido to unveil the top 10 football mysteries

The Premier League has always been a mixed bag of players and I always welcome witnessing a mismatch on the field whether it is Ramon Vega looking to mark Dennis Bergkamp; Tony Hibbert attempting to shackle Cristiano Ronaldo, or simply Gregorsz Rasiak attempting to take on any Premier League defence; the bad will always play a major part in adding to the excitement of the league.

This current Premier League season has been no different and this is the FIRST PART in my look of  who I consider to be arguably the worst players plying their trade at present:

Click on Stefan Savic to unveil the top 10

The players now call the shots at football clubs and are controlling the contract situations, while parasite agents tout their client out from club to club in order to get a new club or bigger deal. I’m sure this wasn’t Bosman’s intention when he first set out in the courts to fight his right to freedom, but the subsequent change in EU Law has created the beast we are not witnessing now.

A staggering 109 players who were registered for Premier League football are out of contract at the end of this season resulting in many clubs looking to either move them on in the summer or risk making a loss in May. There will be plenty of chances to earn a new contract for the future Bosman players, but having now let their contracts run down to just over six months remaining, perhaps the clubs are eager to get rid of them.

The list of out-of-contract players is not just packed with squad players and bit-part first team members, but star internationals that have brought a lot to the Premier League in the past five years or so.

At the end of last season there was not a huge rush to snap up free signings from the Premier League as there was very little to choose from. Hargreaves, Ba and McFadden were about as glamorous as it got last May but this year a team could be built solely from free signings that could well finish in the top half of the league. A club could spend their whole transfer budget on wages for these players and have a better side than most in the Premier League next season.

Click on Tomas Rosicky to unveil the Bosman XI for 2012

The Congolese striker has been in sensational form for Anderlecht this season, after failed spells last year with Monaco and Wolfsburg, and has seemingly found his feet in the Belgium league bagging seven goals in ten league games so far this term.

Mbokani’s form has not only alerted Kenny Dalglish, but both David Moyes and Tony Pulis have reportedly expressed an interest in making a summer move for the former Standard Liege ace.

His agent Fabio Baglio believes his client is too good for the Belgium league and that English clubs can no longer ignore his performances.

“Mbokani is currently playing with tremendous confidence,” Baglio told Nieuwsblad, reported by the Metro

“He is too good for the Belgian league and he knows it. English clubs cannot ignore his strong performances.”

Should Liverpool land their man they will certainly be hoping that he will be a damn sight better than his current strike partner at Anderlecht, Milan Jovanovic, who endured a wretched time at Anfield.

Harry Redknapp has widely been tipped to take the managerial reins from the departed Fabio Capello and the FA chairman is fully aware that the cost of acquiring a manager, also means potentially having to pay out for their assistants as well so the compensation packages will run into the millions; something that clearly isn’t a deterrent for the Bernstein and Team England.

“Prising a manager and his backroom staff away from a club could cost a lot of money – it’s one of the considerations. But we won’t be penny-pinching on this. We will pay what we need to pay and we will have to assess what the situation is with any manager we look at and his club.” Bernstein told the Daily Star on Sunday

Bernstein will also be blissfully aware that Daniel Levy is a shrewd operator and, the man who Sir Alan Sugar once described as the toughest negotiator he had ever known, will certainly be looking for suitable compensation should his manager be prised away from White Hart Lane.

It is thought that a figure between £5-15m is the sort of ball park that Tottenham will be looking at in terms of compensation; something that Team England are seemingly prepared to pay if it means that they get the right man to replace Fabio Capello.

However with Spurs currently in the midst of a three-way tussle for the Premier League title it’s unlikely Redknapp would be willing to abandon his mission at White Hart Lane in favour of England, which, in essence, is a bit-part management role. Whilst an inevitable tug of war between FA chairman David Bernstein and Spurs supremo Daniel Levy will ensue over the 64-year-old there have been suggestions that the job will be offered on a part-time basis. The idea of a manager fulfilling the role on an interim basis has been mooted before but should the FA finally choose to scrap the England job as a full-time position?

It’s a role that leaves a manager with a substantial amount of time to sit and twiddle his thumbs along with taking in the occasional football match; in Capello’s case that meant anywhere within a 150 mile radius of London. The former Real Madrid chiefs £6 millon-a-year salary has seen him become labelled as an expensive mistake in some quarters. In the current economic climate fans are being forced to dig deeper into their pockets to attend football matches so would the FA be willing to appoint another manager on a similar deal? They’re almost caught in a catch-22 with their clamour to find a cost effective Englishman who possesses the necessary experience to end the Three Lions’ 46-year trophy drought. I’m just making assumptions here but you can bet your bottom dollar the FA will be anxious to avoid splashing out heavy six-figure sums on a deficient English coach never mind another johnny foreigner.

Frankly the options are thin on the ground at the moment with many free agents considered inadequate for a position of this magnitude. Stuart Pearce could be tempted into the role but having already admitted that he isn’t prepared for the big job it’s unlikely he’ll be the man the FA turn too. That has the entire country scribbling Redknapp at the top of their list of candidates to fill the breach. From my viewpoint the England manager’s job has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent years with the pressure to succeed in a major tournaments proving to be the undoing of several individuals including Capello. Would the media’s tendency to change their opinions at the blink of an eye and ruin reputations once results go south appeal to a manager already coping with the stress of domestic management?

Once again it all comes down to the financial incentives that come with a position that situated firmly in the glare of the media. Despite Redknapp’s supposed patriotism it’s unlikely he’ll leave Tottenham, whether it be permanently or part time, to manage England on the cheap. The same applies to any club manager the FA has in it’s cross hairs. Truthfully the current squad is in need of a major overhaul after Euro 2012 with the supposed ‘golden generation’ failing to perform in a decades worth of major tournaments. It’s in this respect that the need for a full-time manager would come in useful purely for scouting purposes. The need for fresh blood in the squad requires some serious reconnaissance stretching the length and breadth of the country which is something that Capello failed to do adding yet more justification to describe his pay cheque as absurd. The fact is a part-time manager wouldn’t have the time to tackle such a burdensome task due to their commitments at club level therefore having to rely on a team of scouts to effectively choose the squad for him. Even a manager without club ties might feel that he isn’t compelled to make the effort if it isn’t included as part of their pay packet.

For me there is no definitive answer to whether the England manager’s job needs to be a full-time position. The pressure, constant media scrutiny and hopes of a nation weighing heavy on one mans shoulders makes it a position requiring an experienced and level headed individual. However a man possessing those qualities usually comes at a cost and it’s unlikely the FA will ungrudgingly fork out a large sum once again even if they have their eyes set on Redknapp. The prospect of an amateur stepping in surely leaves the FA in a quandary over whether a full time manager is the right path to take. Where they go from here is unknown.

Elsewhere in the news Mancini set to hand Carlos Tevez a lifeline; Bernstein claims the England job is an attractive position, while the HMRC are determined to clean up the game and expose the murky financial side within football.

Sir Alex Ferguson has caused Luis Suarez a disgrace and believes his actions prior to the game at Old Trafford could have incited a riot – Guardian

FA Chairman David Bernstein has claimed that the England job is an attractive proposal and that ‘serious’ managers will be keen to take up the opportunity if it was presented to them – Guardian

Roberto Mancini has suggested that Carlos Tevez still has a role to play at the Etihad Stadium and could feature for City between now and the end of the season – Guardian

The HMRC will not be deterred in their quest to clean the game up and exposed the murky financial side within football – Independent

Roy Hodgson remained coy over his own personal ambitions to take over the England national job – Independent

Kenny Dalglish has implied that media scrutiny has played its part in the ongoing tensions between the two football clubs – Sky Sports

Wayne Rooney has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant England Captaincy. The United striker will welcome the opportunity and believes he will thrive on it – Daily Mail

Andre Villas-Boas bemoaned Chelsea’s defeat and claimed it was arguably their worst performance of the season – Daily Mail

Tottenham will line up move for Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Harry Redknapp, should he wish to take the reins of England – Mirror

Nicolas Gaitan has put both Manchester clubs on alert by suggesting that he may be leaving Benfica at the end of the season – Metro

Everton have joined Liverpool in the transfer race for Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani – Metro

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has revealed that he has funds for a big signing, amid reports that the Scot has been told to tighten the belt of the club coffers – Mirror

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of articles that includes the Tottenham team that Harry could have had; Bostock proving an example to them all, while Levy faces up to his toughest appointment.

Football’s Bargain XI vs Overpriced XI…quite a contest!

Harry Redknapp for England – haven’t we been here before?

John Bostock proving an example to them all

Caption Competition: Parker and Suarez make acquaintance

The Top TEN Tottenham tattoos…well sort of!

Levy could face up to arguably the toughest appointment of his tenure

The reason for the inactive January transfer window?

Tottenham expects – Dear Mr Levy

How Harry got off: A Juror speaks. – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2

Here’s The Haringey Council Agenda For 13.02.12 – Harry Hotspur

Harry and England Tug of Love Struggle – Tottenham On My Mind

Eden Hazard Would Be Just Perfect For Spurs – Transfer Tavern

Quote of the Week

“They’ve been fantastic to me, the Tottenham people. The fans last week at the Wigan game, it was incredible the reception they gave me.

“It wouldn’t be right to them to focus on anything else but Tottenham. My only interest is Tottenham Hotspur.” Redknapp responding to the speculation linking him with the England job (Daily Mail)

This afternoon’s action from White Hart Lane

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of articles that include; the rise of Oxlade-Chamberlain; Frimpong’s new found spare time, while Spanish tax laws may play into Premier League club’s hands.

Best of FFC

Spanish Tax ruling may ultimately play into the Premier League’s hands

Arsenal’s top TEN tattoos…well sort of!

What are the long-term ramifications for Arsenal?

A welcome stance that Arsene Wenger has taken

The rise and rise of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsene Wenger keen on Eden Hazard

Frimpong’s new found spare time

The ideal role for Aaron Ramsey?

Destined for a future ‘top four’ move?

Who should start in the ‘hole’ position – Rosicky or Ramsey? – Gunnersphere

Dirty Harry does anal Arsene and Arsenal a massive favour! – Le Grove

In praise of the Ox – Online Gooner

One Of Speaks: Let’s Get This Party Started Right – A Cultured Left Foot

Gervinho stunner! Wilshere & Oxlade-Chamberlain shouldn’t even be considered for England…….. – Highbury House

Wenger targets Fiorentina youngster – Gunnersphere

Quote of the Week

“Frankly, Marca is as creative as some English newspapers. That means you cannot believe every word that is said in Marca. They don’t care, Marca, at all. I think they are even far more from real evidence than any English newspapers. They create just stories.” Wenger talking in response to Madrid being linked with Van Persie (Daily Telegraph)

Action from the Stadium of Light

It is 7pts out of a possible 9 in what has been a tough run of games for United and their current form will certainly put the fear in their title rivals at the top end of the Premier League.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include Fergie’s fledglings management reports; blind faith at Old Trafford, while United would have proved the better move for Super Eagle.

Best of FFC

WAG Weekly: Lindegaard’s Stunning Catch

Ravel Morrison: Drinking In The Last Chance Saloon?

In hindsight would Manchester United have proved the better move?

The top TEN Man United Tattoos…well sort of

Spanish Tax ruling may ultimately play into the Premier League’s hands

Fergie’s Fledglings – the management reports are in!

Is blind faith keeping him in the Old Trafford good books?

Dutchman open to United move

Patrice Evra Deserves Better Treatment From Some United Fans – Red Flag Flying High

Audio : Munich Air Disaster – Lost Interviews – 7Cantonas

Stunning comeback masks opportunity lost – United Rant

Podcast: Blogging Reds Discuss Chelsea, Liverpool, Racism & Suarez – The Busby Way

The forgotten man to eventually replace Ferguson – The United Religion

Quote of the Week

“There have never been any concrete contacts with Manchester United. I see everything, I am not blind, but there is nothing concrete right now,”

“I am happy at Inter, but we will see. I currently have no contacts with other clubs and I am living day by day.

“If on the last day of the transfer window an offer had arrived, maybe I would have left.The truth is that I feel at home at Inter, but I do not know where I will play next season,” Sneijder responding to transfer speculation about a potential United move. (Daily Mail)

This Afternoon’s action at Old Trafford

Post Match view