With more money flowing into English football each year, it can be difficult for professional players - especially the younger ones - to make the right decision.
Agents play a crucial role in the modern game, although many will never know what it’s like to play in front of 75,000 spectators at Old Trafford or face the wrath of the media.
One man who understands the pressures of the Premier League is Kevin Davies, who made 444 appearances in the prestigious competition and has since become an intermediary.
"I never quite knew what I wanted to do if I’m totally honest,” Davies tells Mirror Football, explaining why he launched KCD Management in July 2020.
"When you get into your thirties, you start wondering about your next contract and what you’re going to do after retiring.
Who is your favourite Premier League striker of all time? Let us know in the comments below!
"I went down the normal pathways. I did all my coaching badges and a lot of TV work… went into management for a bit at Southport. I never quite knew whether I wanted to be a coach or a manager. I found it quite stressful, it wasn’t for me.
"I tend to always get players and coaches ringing up and saying, 'Do you know someone there? Can you get me in there? Can you speak to the manager?' I ran my own charity for six or seven years and just liked helping others, so a lot of people told me I was a perfect fit.
"I’ve had some big agencies approach me, but I don’t want to work for somebody else. I’ve tried to build my own company and something that’s successful.
"I literally started doing it during lockdown… started making some phone calls, got a few referrals in and that was it. I just thought, 'I’m going to do it, there’s nothing to lose.'"
And just a handful of Premier League players have experienced a similar career to Davies.
The ex-striker played in each of the top four divisions, won promotion, suffered relegation, was released, signed for millions of pounds, scored in a cup final and represented England.
Davies is hoping his vast knowledge of the English game can help professionals across the pyramid, especially those who are just emerging.
"I get to help young players and give them the right advice, staying away from all the pitfalls… I just want to do things in the right way.
"I’ve got great relationships with most of the managers, coaches, directors of football and people I speak to, so that helps.
"When you’re young, if you’ve got a good family around you and good friends - maybe a good manager - who can advise you, then it’s OK. But a lot of players don’t.
"When I’m speaking to players - young players, particularly, or their parents - I try to tell them, 'Be mindful of this, it could happen.' It’s basically giving them advice over what I’ve been through."
Davies played for Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers during his 818-game club career, yet it’s his time at the latter club which is most celebrated.
He was part of the Bolton side that reached the EFL Cup final in 2003-04 and narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot the following season, finishing just three points behind Everton in fourth.
That team is fondly remembered for the stars manager Sam Allardyce lured to the club, such as World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff and Nigerian sensation Jay-Jay Okocha.
Other big-name stars included former Real Madrid icon Fernando Hierro, two-time Champions League winner Ivan Campo and Euro 2004 champion Stelios Giannakopoulos.
"What Sam created there with his staff and the recruitment of players was an unbelievable job.
"We had something really special within the group… it was just a great place to go into every day, hence why I never wanted to leave."
Those involved have never forgotten their time at Bolton, with many returning in November to play in a charity match in aid of current ace Gethin Jones, whose mum – Karen – was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.
"They’re brilliant football players, but also great people. I think they showed that by the way they came back - sacrificing their time - to support Gethin recently. It says a lot about them.
"They’ve won so much but still have a special soft spot for Bolton because of what we did. It’s pretty amazing… and Sam was the driving force, a top manager who was ahead of his time."
