Lampard, Eto'o, Cole set to leave Chelsea on free transfers

Unless Chelsea come to terms on a contract with Frank Lampard after the World Cup, it appears the club's all-time leading goal scorer is set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.

Lampard, along with striker Samuel Eto'o and left-back Ashley Cole were not included in Chelsea's list of retained players submitted to the Premier League on Friday. Instead, all three were among the list of released players.

Chelsea have not commented on the roster decision.

While Eto'o and Cole were expected to leave the club once their contracts expired, Lampard remains the only player on the list with a legitimate possibility of returning to the London club next season.

Rumours of a one-year contract extension for Lampard emerged as the season was winding down, and it was thought that the 35-year-old would sign a similar one-year extension as half-back John Terry. But his inclusion on the list of free transfers indicates he and the club failed to reach an agreement.

Lampard's put together a stellar career at Chelsea since signing with them from West Ham United in 2001, appearing in 648 games and leading the all-time scoring list with 211 goals. He was Chelsea's top scorer during four separate seasons and captained the club through the most successful period in its 109 years of existence.

There isn't a major team trophy he failed to capture with the Blues. Chelsea won three Premier League titles, four F.A. Cups, two League Cups, one Champions League trophy and one Europa League championship during Lampard's tenure. 

Lampard collected five goals in 20 Premier League appearances last season, but it was quite a drop-off from the 15 he amassed in 21 appearances the season before.

Cole, 33, who arrived at the club from Arsenal in 2006, was there for much of the success with Lampard, but once Jose Mourinho returned for the second time around, Cole found himself on the bench for much of the season. He only started 13 games in the Premier League and just five in Champions League play.

Eto'o, 33, was arguably the team's most productive striker during his first season in the Premier League, scoring nine league goals in 16 games and three goals during the Champions League. His relationship with Mourinho made news earlier in the year when the Portuguese manager questioned his actual age during a conversation when he was unknowingly recorded.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, whose signing proved valuable late in the season when veteran goalie Petr Cech was injured and the Australian was forced to start the team's final six games, is the only other significant name on the list.