CM – Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
A successful loan spell at Everton clearly hasn’t been enough to convince the people at Manchester City that Gareth Barry is still capable of doing a job, and somebody will feel the gain from that as he leaves on a free.
Barry was in exceptional form as Everton came so very close to breaking in to the top four, with his form going as far as to cause some murmurs that a return to the national set-up could be on the cards.
Barry assisted four goals for Everton in his 32 appearances for the Toffees this season, while he won 67 tackles and made 51 interceptions, as he provided a fantastic screen for the defence.
CM – Steve Sidwell (Fulham)
In a miserable campaign for the Cottagers, Steve Sidwell was one of the few to emerge from the other side with any credit, and at a perfect time too, with the end of his contract giving him the opportunity to find a new club in the top flight.
Sidwell scored several important goals for the Cottagers to at least give them a fighting chance of survival, netting seven in total with a conversion rate of 19.4%.
The former Arsenal midfielder also claimed two assists from the 21 chances he created for Fulham, whilst he won 93 tackles as well in an impressive season that will surely see him stay in the Premier League.
AM – Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Talks are still ongoing between club and player over a potential one-year deal for the veteran midfielder, but with no agreement in place, Frank Lampard is currently available on a free transfer and still capable of playing at the top level.
Reuniting with his uncle Harry Redknapp at QPR has been mentioned in passing, despite the common belief being that he will up stick to join the MLS contingent in the USA and Lampard doesn’t seem like he’s done in the Premier League yet, given his displays for Chelsea this season.
Lampard still managed to score six times for the Blues and claim three assists from the 33 chances he created this season, while he still managed to win 34 tackles in the 26 appearances he made for the Blues.
AM – Joe Cole (West Ham)
You get the feeling that his best days are behind him, but it was only two seasons ago that Joe Cole enjoyed a successful loan spell with Lille and he could still provide a service in a team that tries to play football yet.
They say form is temporary and class is permanent and one could suggest that with the right manager, in the right set-up, Cole could unlock the talent that lurks inside of him once again.
Cole did only manage to create three chances for teammates in his 20 (mainly substitute) appearances for West Ham this season, but he did score three goals of his own from just 15 shots on goal.
AM – Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
Clubs in the bottom half looking for a player with a wealth of Premier League experience to boost their survival hopes should look no further than Matty Etherington this summer, with the former Stoke man still possessing the qualities to be a danger.
The winger was perhaps unfortunate to be the man to suffer upon the arrival of Mark Hughes at the club, but he is still capable of doing a job in the Premier League and newly-promoted clubs could do a lot worse than recruit Etherington for their first crack at the top flight.
Etherington managed to created ten chances in the 11 appearances he was afforded by the Potters this season, while the former Spurs and West Ham man also managed to win 70% of his attempted tackles.
CF – Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea)
It’s not been a graceful exit from Stamford Bridge for Samuel Eto’o, with his verbal assault on Jose Mourinho a cause for concern for managers worried about upsetting dressing room morale, but it could be worth it given the obvious qualities the striker possesses.
Eto’o is unlikely to provide you spectacular strikes, given given the service, the Cameroon forward will guarantee goals, having been one of the most natural finishers in the game for some time now.
Eto’o managed to net nine times for the Blues in his 21 appearances for the club, converting 20.5% of his shots on goal, while he also claimed two assists from the 22 chances he carved out for teammates as well, as there is still plenty of life in the old dog yet.