Yoann Miguel Gourcuff

Once compared to Zidane (a hero of his growing up) after scoring an unbelievable goal aged 21 for Bordeaux against PSG, this sublime talent is available and, like Cabaye, would be a fabulous acquisition for the A-League. 

That goal prompted hysteria in the French press as a new Zidane was apparently in their midst. 

French great Christophe Dugarry purred: “That goal was no accident. It showed there was something magical about him.

"I felt ill when Zidane retired. Watching Gourcuff has cured me. When I see players like him, I feel like a small boy again.”

Little wonder AC Milan signed him in 2006 (though he never fitted in). 

And at the chaotic 2010 World Cup Gourcuff was ostracised by some big name Les Bleus stars  (Gourcoff was, bizarrely, dropped and Anelka banished as the French campaign derailed spectacularly).  

With his Les Bleus teammate Thierry Henry

WATCH THE GOAL THAT HAD HIM COMPARED TO ZIDANE

At 32 Gourcuff could easily play two or three seasons in the A-League.

Rumored to be a target of the Mexican league side Atlas, like Cabaye, it’s a case of getting in while you can.

Gourcuff for France at the 2010 World Cup

AC Milan, Lyon, State Rennais and Bordeaux just three of the clubs this technically gifted attacking midfielder has called home. 

He truly is a sublime talent who never reached his full potential. 

A new start in a sunny country with perhaps an Asian Champions League to aim for might be a decent option. 

And to see someone so talented in Australia would be a treat. 

Michael Ciani

A brute of a man with one national team cap to his name from 2010, the powerful defender brings loads of top-level experience. 

The 35-year-old just finished at a two-year stint in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Before that, he racked up over 200 appearances in France’s first division, including over 100 appearances each for Lorient and FC Bordeaux. 

In 2012 he made a big move to join Lazio before a move across in 2015-16 to Spain and Espanyol.

Ciani for LA Galaxy (white shirt)

He has UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience, too. 

For A-League clubs wanting a big presence at the heart of their backline, look no further than the former Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1 defender.