Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Joe Cole will remain at the club beyond the end of the season, despite mounting speculation regarding the player's future.
Cole's contract expires in the summer and the 28-year-old was reported as saying he has not been offered a new deal by the Stamford Bridge outfit.
It means the England winger could leave Ancelotti's side on a free during the close-season, with some of Chelsea's title rivals believed to be keen on capturing his signature should he depart the London club.
Cole has said he hopes to extend his stay at the Blues, and Ancelotti - who also dismissed claims he would be leaving Chelsea - reiterated his belief that the midfielder would remain with his team for the new campaign.
He told Sky Sports News: "I said the player will be here next season because the player wants to be here and the club wants to keep him in the squad.
"That's all - there is no news about this. I think that there is a time to speak about his contract but this is not my issue.
"I gave my technical opinion about this player and nothing else. I think that he is showing a pleasure to stay here, to play for this club."
Cole has failed to hold down a regular spot in the Chelsea team this season following a lengthy injury lay off with a cruciate ligament problem.
Ancelotti has used the former West Ham youngster sparingly during his bid to bring the Premier League title to the club, with Cole having to settle for a place on the subs bench.
The player has admitted he needs to play regular first team football in a bid to force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa.
And Capello is another manager who has been unconvinced by Cole since his returned from injury, with comments from the Italian following the friendly win over Egypt in March suggesting the player's place in the 23-man party for June's show piece event may not be guaranteed.
But Ancelotti praised the Paddington-born star for his conduct around the Chelsea camp - although he too stressed it was important he played frequently on the domestic front.
He added: "He's doing a very good job, he's very professional and he has very good relationship with his other team mates.
"It's a very important moment for him and the other players to show his quality to stay in the squad for the World Cup with England.
"He wants to play, I know that, and he's doing everything he can in training to show me his quality. Sometimes he's played and sometimes he's stayed out, but that's what happens at the big teams."
Cole's contract expires in the summer and the 28-year-old was reported as saying he has not been offered a new deal by the Stamford Bridge outfit.
It means the England winger could leave Ancelotti's side on a free during the close-season, with some of Chelsea's title rivals believed to be keen on capturing his signature should he depart the London club.
Cole has said he hopes to extend his stay at the Blues, and Ancelotti - who also dismissed claims he would be leaving Chelsea - reiterated his belief that the midfielder would remain with his team for the new campaign.
He told Sky Sports News: "I said the player will be here next season because the player wants to be here and the club wants to keep him in the squad.
"That's all - there is no news about this. I think that there is a time to speak about his contract but this is not my issue.
"I gave my technical opinion about this player and nothing else. I think that he is showing a pleasure to stay here, to play for this club."
Cole has failed to hold down a regular spot in the Chelsea team this season following a lengthy injury lay off with a cruciate ligament problem.
Ancelotti has used the former West Ham youngster sparingly during his bid to bring the Premier League title to the club, with Cole having to settle for a place on the subs bench.
The player has admitted he needs to play regular first team football in a bid to force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa.
And Capello is another manager who has been unconvinced by Cole since his returned from injury, with comments from the Italian following the friendly win over Egypt in March suggesting the player's place in the 23-man party for June's show piece event may not be guaranteed.
But Ancelotti praised the Paddington-born star for his conduct around the Chelsea camp - although he too stressed it was important he played frequently on the domestic front.
He added: "He's doing a very good job, he's very professional and he has very good relationship with his other team mates.
"It's a very important moment for him and the other players to show his quality to stay in the squad for the World Cup with England.
"He wants to play, I know that, and he's doing everything he can in training to show me his quality. Sometimes he's played and sometimes he's stayed out, but that's what happens at the big teams."
No comments:
Post a Comment