"Massive gamble" - Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton warned about free agent move | OneFootball

EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has questioned whether midfielder Ravel Morrison would be a good signing for Sheffield Wednesday or Bolton Wanderers.

According to TEAMtalk, Wednesday, Bolton and Peterborough United are interested in signing Morrison, who is a free agent after his departure from MLS side DC United.

Morrison joined DC United in July 2022, but it was a disappointing spell for him in the United States as he made just 14 appearances for the club, scoring two goals.

The 31-year-old's last spell in England came with Derby County, where he scored five goals and provided four assists in 38 games as the Rams were relegated from the Championship in the 2021-22 season.

Morrison began his career with Manchester United, and he has gone on to play for a host of clubs, including West Ham United, Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City, Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and ADO Den Haag.

Wednesday currently sit 23rd in the Championship table, four points from safety, and manager Danny Rohl has previously suggested the club would consider bringing in free agents to help in their battle against relegation.

Bolton are third in the League One table, level on points with Derby County, who are in the second and final automatic promotion spot, while Peterborough are sixth in the third tier.

Palmer: Ravel Morrison would be a gamble for Sheffield Wednesday or Bolton

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that while Morrison is a talented player, he would be too much of a risk for Wednesday or Bolton.

"Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton are among the sides who are interested in signing Ravel Morrison on a free," Palmer said.

"He is without a club after his departure from DC United.

"He went out there under former manager Wayne Rooney, he featured 14 times and scored two goals.

"However, two days before the beginning of the season, it was revealed that Rooney had decided to axe the former Manchester United player from his squad while remaining under contract to prioritise other areas of his squad. "Now Ravel is a free agent, and the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton are looking to bring him in. "We all know that he's a talented player, we all know that he's underachieved at the club that he's been at, and he could be the difference with 13 or 14 games remaining between getting relegated or getting promoted. "But for me, it's still a massive gamble because you don't know what you're going to get from him. "He's getting older, and people think he's still going to deliver on his day. "The clubs are in the position they are in, and if you take him on a short-term contract, hopefully he produces some moments of magic that might help you get promotion or stay in the league.

"Is he worth the gamble? Not for me, but he might be for those clubs."

Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton should avoid Ravel Morrison move

It is difficult to disagree with Palmer on this one.

There is no doubt about Morrison's ability, and he performed well for Derby in his last season in the Championship two years ago, but he has struggled to deliver consistently throughout his career.

Disciplinary issues have prevented Morrison from fulfilling his potential, and with Wednesday and Bolton both in good form, signing Morrison could risk disrupting the harmony inside the dressing room.

There would be question marks over whether Morrison would improve Wednesday or Bolton's existing midfield options, and they should be cautious before making a move for him.