Agents have a vital role to play in football, says Barry Silkman

Silkman claims many players would struggle without agents, now that big-money salaries are the norm in the higher leagues. And he argued that clubs only mention agents when signings prove bad value for money, rather than when they turn out to be bargains.

"Agents are an easy target to pick on," Silkman told Sky Sports News. "If a player doesn't do well, a club can say … we've paid too much money. When players do well that agents have recommended, that maybe before were completely unknown, you don't hear people blowing the trumpets of agents."