Five unattached players that could cause a storm in Brazil.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard confirmed on Monday that he will not be renewing his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 35-year-old, who is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 211 goals, has therefore played his last game for the Blues.
Lampard will not be short of potential suitors, but, rather than searching for a new club, he is currently focused on preparing for this summer’s World Cup.
The England midfielder is not going to be the only unattached player at Brazil 2014.
We have listed four other free agents that could shine on the grandest stage of all this summer.
Eto’o, who was released by Chelsea after just one season at Stamford Bridge, is Cameroon’s leading scorer and main talisman.
Brazil 2014 will be his fourth World Cup. He featured as a substitute at France 98, before scoring the winning goal in his nation’s only victory at the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea.
Cameroon, who did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup, scored just goals in South Africa two years ago. Eto’o bagged them both and he will again be the focus point of his side’s attack.
Having made just one league appearance for Arsenal, Park was finally released by the Gunners this summer, after three years on the club’s books.
The 28-year-old spent half of this season on loan at Watford, but only played twice for the Hornets.
Despite his severe lack of recent game time, Park, who has scored 24 goals in 63 senior international appearances, was deemed worthy of a place in his country’s 23-man squad.
Some Arsenal fans will be keen to catch a glimpse of their former player and they are likely to get their wish, as he appears to feature prominently in head coach Hong Myung-Bo’s plans.
Karagounis is Greece’s most capped player of all time.
The 37-year-old, who was released by Fulham this summer, is also his country’s captain.
He was one of the stars of Greece’s shock triumph at Euro 2004, although he missed the final through suspension.
Shola Ameobi
Big Shola may not be a prolific goalscorer, but he is a man who rises to the big occasion – and the World Cup is certainly that.
The 32-year-old, who was released by Newcastle United last month, scored seven goals in Tyne-Wear derbies against fierce rivals Sunderland.
The Mackem Slayer was named in Nigeria’s final 23-man squad on Monday and he is likely to feature prominently in the Super Eagles’ three group games – against Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran.
