Malouda, Gallas on free transfer list

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda and Tottenham Hotspur defender William Gallas were made available for free transfers today after being named on a list of players released by their clubs in the English Premier League.

France international Malouda, 32, has not played for Chelsea since their victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final, after being frozen out by successive coaches Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez at Stamford Bridge.

He saw out his final months at the west London club training with the under-21s.

Gallas, another former France player, leaves Spurs three years after joining the club in a controversial free transfer from their fierce north London rivals Arsenal.

Other players on the free transfer list include Gallas’ Spurs team-mate David Bentley, Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz and veteran Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Arsenal announced earlier this week that Andrey Arshavin, Denilson and Sebastien Squillaci would all be leaving during the close season, which was confirmed by the publication of the list.

Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun and Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira have both been released by Chelsea, while Stoke City have let several players go, including former England striker Michael Owen, who has retired, and long-throw specialist Rory Delap.

Players on the free transfer list can be acquired by other clubs without the need for a transfer fee.