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Earlier this year, Steven Gerrard announced that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season and move to the MLS in the United States of America. Gerrard will play for David Beckham’s old club LA Galaxy after he leaves Anfield and he will also be joined by Frank Lampard, who will join MLS outfit New York City FC after his current spell with Manchester City ends at the end of the season.Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are not the first big names to move to USA. The trend was started by David Beckham after his move to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid. After his move was a success, players like Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Tim Cahill have all made a move to the MLS during the twilight years of their career.Many other veteran players could follow their colleagues to play in US at the end of the season. Here are five players who could move to MLS at the end of the current season.
#5 Tim Howard
Tim Howard came to England from the US when he joined Manchester United in 2003. The goalkeeper established himself as a regular starter in the Everton side over the years and was in great form during Roberto Martinez’s first season in charge of the side.
Howard also set a record for the most number of saves in a World Cup game (15) when USA played Belgium. But the 35-year-old has struggled this season and had the worst shots saved percentage among all the Premier League keepers until Christmas.
The veteran has been benched in favour of Joel Robles and Everton are actively looking for a new goalkeeper to challenge Howard. It maybe time for him to return to his home country where he is still a hero.
#4 Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose currently plays for Lazio in the Serie A. The record breaking German striker called curtains on his international career after the World Cup and it was probably in the hope of extending his club career. But Klose has been playing for Lazio this season mainly off the bench and this could be an indication that age is finally catching up with the German.
Klose will be 37 before the next season starts and there are no indications of him retiring yet. But his role at Lazio has been cut down and it will be difficult for him to become a regular starter again. Maybe it’s time for the World Cup record goalscorer to visit the US.
#3 Xavi
It was rumoured that Xavi would leave Barcelona prior to the start of the current season, but Luis Enrique wanted the Spaniard at the club for one more season.
Xavi will be 35 this month and will be looking for a new adventure before calling it a day. But with Barcelona getting a transfer ban for the next two windows, they may ask the veteran to stay for one more season. But does Xavi have what it takes to play at the top level for another season?
A move to MLS could also potentially reunite him with his former Spain and Barcelona teammate David Villa who signed for New York City FC.
#2 Rio Ferdinand
During his peak years, Rio Ferdinand was arguably the best defender in the Premier League. The former England International struggled during his last season with Manchester United and has been criticized for his performance for QPR as well. Ferdinand started the first few games of the season for QPR, but his performance saw him being dropped in favour of another veteran Richard Dunne.
It looks like Rio, who is currently 36, can no longer keep up to the pace of the Premier League. And a move to less rigorous MLS could help him hang up his boots on a positive note.
#1 Didier Drogba
Drogba has had an illustrious and successful playing career in Europe. The Ivorian will be 37 by the time the current season ends and his form with Chelsea suggests that there is still some football left in him. He may not be able to perform to the needs of the highly competitive leagues in Europe, but a move to MLS before he retires will be best for him.
The striker has been linked with MLS side Portland Timbers recently and it will be interesting to see if he will move to MLS or hang up his boots at the end of the season. For what it’s worth, a move to the MLS would be a better option than a relatively unknown team like Shanghai Shenhua.
