With the announcements of World Cup squads, talk has been abound as to the best players that have missed out on a spot with their respective countries. While the likes of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard may be fretting over their chances ahead of Roy Hodgson's 30-man squad being named on Monday, they have other pressing issues to contend with at club level.
Neither has, as of yet, been offered a new contract with Chelsea and so as things stand, both will be available on a free transfer this summer. What unbelievable signings either would be for just about any Premier League club. Chelsea would be mad to let players of their ilk go, especially for free, surely?
There has been talk of late of Cole being lined up by Liverpool to fill the void that is the left-back spot at Anfield this summer, and he could provide a vital injection of experience into a defence that has proven shaky, to say the least, at times this season, no less so in their capitulation from 3 goals to the good at Crystal Palace last week. Averaging 2.2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game and with an average rating (6.9) higher than he managed last season (6.85) or the season before (6.74) there is little reason to believe he is on the wane just yet.
Cole has shown before that he isn't the most loyal player going and may look to get one over José Mourinho by moving to a rival club, while it is harder to imagine Lampard making such a move. With a WhoScored rating of 7.06, Lampard fits into our Free Transfer XI as one of the highest rated players available on a free in the summer. Quite where he will end up - he may well yet be offered another deal at Stamford Bridge - is yet to be seen, but he certainly still has at least one more season in him at the top.
Cole, however, does not make it into the best-rated players set to leave on a Bosman in the summer. Patrice Evra is still awaiting a renewed deal at Manchester United, despite proving to be a more-than-adequate left-back for the side that can still boast status as reigning champions. The Frenchman is not far off the Premier League team of the season with an average rating of 7.29, having averaged 2.3 tackles and 5.6 clearances per game as United endured a testing season. Out of contract in the summer, Evra may be made something of a scapegoat and could be on his way out of the Premier League.
Jussi Jääskeläinen may be 39 years of age but he is still most certainly a decent option for a mid-to-lower table Premier League side (average rating of 6.92), and available on a free this summer, he may opt to prolong his career if the right move comes along. His save success rate this season of 71.4% ranks him 8th of the 26 goalkeepers to make at least 10 Premier League appearances this season, and shows that he still has something to give. Julian Speroni has played a full season in Crystal Palace's goal but his future remains uncertain, and he would be another great free option in goal in the summer.
Bacary Sagna is another player who is somewhat inexplicably yet to be offered a contract extension, and with an average rating of 7.19 could be an outstanding free transfer in the summer. Money may be the barrier for the Frenchman, who is a solid all-rounder, boasting both attacking and defensive attributes without standing out particularly in any regard. Given his wage demands, it could take a powerhouse like PSG to sign him up.
John Terry is also awaiting a new contract at Chelsea, but he is already in discussions over a new deal, though Danny Gabbidon (7.08) and Joleon Lescott (6.90) are two experienced central defenders that could prove astute signings in the summer. The Welshman is 34 years of age but has been brilliant in Crystal Palace's resurgence, and despite playing nearly 33 hours of football this season for a team who were fighting relegation for much of it and averaged just 37.5% possession, Gabbidon did not commit a single error that led to an opposition goal.
Steve Sidwell came close to helping Fulham to safety this season but even displays that earned him 6the third-most man of the match awards (6) in the Premier League this season weren't enough to keep them afloat. The Fulham captain scored 7 goals whilst also making 5.3 tackles and interceptions per game and his all-round combative approach could be a fantastic addition to one of the Cottagers' rivals.
Changes are undoubtedly needed at Aston Villa, a club that not so long ago was challenging for fourth place and is now a relegation scrapper. Paul Lambert may be on his way out the door and a new owner could be taking the reigns of the club. Marc Albrighton is out of contract and with uncertainty surrounding the club his future remains in the balance. He doesn't command huge wages, so may well be kept on at the club, and having averaged a key pass every 28 minutes, he will certainly be of value to somebody.
On the other flank, West Brom stalwart Chris Brunt might be facing his final game for the club this weekend despite having registered an average rating of 7.07 this season. He has picked up 5 assists this season - more than anyone else at the club - and he has displayed his pedigree over seasons gone by too. Over the past 4 campaigns, only Steven Gerrard (15) and Juan Mata (12) have more assists from set pieces than Brunt (11).
Free strikers are harder to come by this summer, with Samuel Eto'o the most well-known of those available, though his wage demands are likely to limit his potential suitors. The Cameroonian scored all 12 of his goals for the Blues at Stamford Bridge, but hasn't proved to add sufficient quality to win a contract extension in the summer.
Marouane Chamakh has been a revelation at Selhurst Park after his 1-year move from Arsenal and what he lacks in the goal department (just 5 goals but impressively from only 10 shots on target) he makes up for in work rate. Winning 5 aerial duels per game and making 1.6 tackles per appearance, Tony Pulis will be eager to keep the Moroccan on at Palace, but his performances this season, which won him an average rating of 6.93, are likely to attract the attention of others.
Which of these players would you like to see your club sign on a free transfer this summer? Let us know in the comments below
