It’s not a final decision yet, but it looks like Ashley Cole won’t be staying with Chelsea once the 2012-2013 season ends, not really pleased with receiving only a one year extension offer from the club and sensing that his future in football is waiting elsewhere.
There were rumors going back to the summer that Cole, never one to turn away big contract offers, was linked with PSG, thanks to their cash situation and the presence of Carlo Ancelotti at the manager position. Cole denied them, but never got the kind of extension he feels he deserves from Chelsea. Two months shy from his 32nd birthday, Cole just doesn’t seem to fit the plans of the slow but steady change going on at the club.
Roman Abramovich wants new blood, and any signs of the old regime is slowly being pushed out. John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole. That’s all that remains, while Lampard has also been offered only one more year, but that’s acceptable, considering his age and what he actually produces on the pitch. Petr Cech and Terry are a different story, and still have a future at Chelsea.
So where will Cole go? With his patience running out, no one is denying there’s a chance for January move as well, although that will be up to Chelsea. The more likely scenario is Cole signing a contract with either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in January, and leaving Chelsea once the season ends.
Another interesting prospect might be Alex Ferguson, another manager who’s rumored to be interested in Cole’s services, which might leave you wondering just how much time left Patrice Evra has at the club.
Cole joined Chelsea in 2006, leaving Arsenal on a free transfer, pursuing bigger money and more titles in the West London club after a highly publicized contract negotiations with the gunners. He has won one league title and the Champions League trophy with Chelsea, playing in 188 league matches for the club, scoring 7 goals. In all competitions he has made 259 appearances for Chelsea, including nine this season. He has been capped 98 times, making him the most capped full back in England history, ranked 6th on the all-time list next to Steven Gerrard.