Troubled Ashley Cole Could Be Lifted By Landon Donovan Lesson

Ashley Cole may be struggling to come to terms with preparing for the World Cup while wife Cheryl files for divorce, but he can take encouragement from an unlikely source.

The man Cole will be facing in England’s opening Group C game against the United States – and who nearly ended his World Cup – has already come through the other side.

Landon Donovan, who spent 10 weeks on loan at Everton this season and was responsible for the tackle that broke Cole’s ankle, finalised his own high-profile divorce late last year.

His split from the star of US television sitcom Rules of Engagement, Bianca Kajlich, after three years of marriage, led to Donovan seeking therapy and the advice of friends and colleagues.

Cheryl filed for divorce on Tuesday. Some claim the timing was made to give Cole the chance to get over it before the World Cup kicks off, but he is thought to be shocked at the way it has been handled.

Because of his ankle injury, Cole has played only four games in the past four months and could be offered a new start in Spain next season by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Donovan believes divorce can be used as a catalyst for positive change both on and off the pitch and that Cole will become a better man and possibly an even better footballer if he meets his demons head on and deals with them.

“Every comment I got when I told people I was getting divorced was, ‘I’m so sorry’,” said Donovan. “But it is not always the case that it has to be sorry.

“Sometimes you learn more from those moments than anything. For me that was certainly the case. It doesn’t have to be ugly or nasty. It can be helpful and you can grow from it.

“Bianca taught me a lot more about myself than I knew. She is an actress and if you know that kind of life it is a struggle. When you realize you can’t take things for granted, it is hard. To hear it from your wife and best friend helps.

“Different things helped. Coaches, family, therapy and spending time looking at myself in an honest way. When you combine all that you don’t have a choice but to learn about yourself. You get to a point where you find your way again.”

Like Cole, Donovan was perceived as being cocky and arrogant by the American public in his younger days but has eventually grown into the role of being one of the leaders of the national side.

USA coach Bob Bradley has seen the change in Donovan over the past 12 months and believes it is for the benefit of the individual and his team.

“Landon has shown a great level of maturity, confidence and motivation,” said Bradley. “He has talked about how he has changed. It is easy to see he feels good inside about some of the challenges he has faced and the way he has improved – grown is maybe a better word.”

Donovan is the poster boy of football in the United States and his successful spell at Goodison Park, together with his good form for LA Galaxy, means he will be expected to perform well in South Africa.

“There are expectations and that’s good, but what is most important is what I expect from myself,” said Donovan. “As I have grown older, I’ve learnt what I can and can’t do and to keep things realistic.”

A dose of realism might just be the making of Cole.

Michael Essien Struggling To Be Fit For Start Of Chelsea's Season

Michael Essien faces a battle to be fully fit for next season after Chelsea admitted that the midfielder, who has been ruled out of Ghana's World Cup campaign, had suffered complications arising from the surgery" on his knee.

Essien damaged ligaments on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in January and his rehabilitation has been hampered by the knee repeatedly swelling up and having to undergo procedures to have the fluid drained.

The 27-year-old has not appeared for Chelsea since he tore his hamstring in the Champions League tie against Apoel Nicosia last December and the manager Carlo Ancelotti's hope that Essien could be welcomed back for the final two weeks of the season was dashed.

Essien has worked tirelessly at Chelsea's training ground to build his fitness but he has not yet returned to contact sessions. The Ghana Football Association assessed him in London and has been forced to digest the bitter pill that he lacked the required fitness to lead the team in South Africa. England could face Ghana in the last 16.

The GFA issued a statement, endorsed by Chelsea, who carried it on their website, which said that Essien would not make a full recovery until the end of July, just before the start of the new season.

"Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the 2010 Fifa World Cup," read the GFA statement. "An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July.

"The Ghana Football Association wishes him full recovery and a quick return to football action."

Chelsea added: "Complications arising from the surgery have meant Michael's recovery has been slower than expected."

Manchester United In Pole Position To Sign Joe Cole

Manchester United are reportedly frontrunners in the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole.

The creative playmaker has had trouble coming to an agreement with the Blues over a new contract, with his current deal set to run out on July 1. This has prompted the 28-year-old to be linked with moves to a clutch of clubs.

Now the Daily Mail reports that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has offered Cole a contract to ply his trade at Old Trafford next term, amidst interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

The former West Ham United player has in the past maintained that he is entirely focused on making the final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup and then giving his best shot for the Three Lions in South Africa.

Tottenham On Alert As Joe Cole And Chelsea Wrangle Over A New Deal

Joe Cole's contract talks with Chelsea are believed have broken down and the midfielder is resigned to leaving Stamford Bridge, placing a host of rival clubs on alert for one of the most attractive Bosman free transfers of the summer.

The 28-year-old, whose deal is set to expire next month, had been hopeful of the offer of fresh terms and an increase in his weekly wage to £100,000. But the Chelsea hierarchy is determined to restructure financially and resolved not even to offer him a rise on his current £80,000-a-week earnings.

Just as significantly, Cole has received no assurances from Carlo Ancelotti over his chances of becoming a regular in the manager's starting XI. Cole has endured a stop-start season, in which he has been supplanted in the team by Florent Malouda and has struggled to regain his best form after a serious knee injury.

He spoke before the FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth, in which he appeared as a 71st-minute substitute, of it being "difficult playing 20 or 30 minutes here and there and, when you are starting, you are looking over your shoulder".

Cole signed from West Ham for £6.6m in July 2003 and the manager at his first club, Harry Redknapp, now in charge at Tottenham, will be among the front-runners for his signature on a free transfer.

Cole is expected to feature in England's last warm-up match against Japan in Graz on Sunday, when he will hope to show Fabio Capello he is worth a place in the final 23-man World Cup squad. But his club situation rumbles on with John Terry, Chelsea's captain, on record stating the importance of keeping Cole at Stamford Bridge.

Burnley Boss Brian Laws Eyeing Second Loan Move For Chelsea Kid Jack Cork

Burnley manager Brian Laws has asked Chelsea to let him take Jack Cork on loan for a second spell after snapping up Dean Marney for £500,000.

Laws is also hopeful of bringing in Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and striker Chris Iwelumo as part of the £6.5million deal that takes Steven Fletcher to Molineux - although Birmingham and Blackburn remain keen on Fletcher.

Marney, 26, signed a three-year deal last night after agreeing to switch from relegated Hull City.

And Laws wants Cork to return to Turf Moor where he played 11 times but failed to stop Burnley dropping out of the Premier League last season.

Scotland international Fletcher, 23, is to hold talks with Wolves and Mick McCarthy is willing to let Burnley have Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on season-long loan deals.

Chelsea Scout £8 Million Midfield Maestro

In recognition of any talented youngster beginning to make an impact within the game, many are quick to tag them with players past and present. The German youngster Mesut Ozil, discussed in an earlier article, has been dubbed ‘the new Diego’, quite a tag to burden the youngster with at this early stage. Many do live up to their billing however. Remember Gerard Houllier, declaring Bruno Cheyrou as the ‘new Zinedine Zidane’….he didn’t disappoint did he…

Next to receive such approval is Sylvain Marveaux, dubbed ‘the new Florent Malouda’, no Zinedine Zidane but a quality player nonetheless. If Marveaux can indeed reach such heights then he will have certainly made his mark.

Born in 1986 in Vannes, Marveaux joined Stade Rennes when he turned 16 years old and has spent his entire career thus far at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. He certainly comes from a football family as his older brother Joris Steve Marveaux plays for Montpellier.

The young Marveaux made his debut in the 2006/07 season, eventually ending the season with five goals. Up until last season Marveaux had encountered some difficulties in continuing his progression as a result of injury and time spent warming the bench.

The 2009/10 season saw many starts to take note of his ability as Marveaux excelled for his club, making 33 appearances, scoring 10 goals, and making 5 assists. As an attacking midfielder, Marveaux is blessed with great pace as well as the technical ability to allow him to make goals for himself as well as assist his teammates. A regular at under-21 level for the French national team, Marveaux’s progress to the senior team may only be a matter of time.

At 24 years of age, the time is now if he is to make the next step in his career. Chelsea are being linked with the Frenchman, and will have to pay a rumoured £8 million to take him to the Premier League. Chelsea may be in the market for some new attacking players with the likely departures of Joe Cole, Deco, Juliano Belletti and others. With the average age of the Chelsea squad being discussed also, it may be a good time to inject some new, young talent into the side. What better way for Marveaux to try and become the new Florent Malouda than to play alongside the man himself at Stamford Bridge…

If Sylvain Marveaux is to meet such expectations and make an impact in the bigger leagues of Europe however, time really is of the essence.

England Players Can Be Proud Thanks To Fabio Capello - Frank Lampard

England midfielder Frank Lampard has maintained that manager Fabio Capello is the cause behind the Three Lions' renewed self-belief.

The confidence among players in the national team had hit a new low following the failure to qualify for the European Championships in 2008 under Steve McClaren.

However, the former Real Madrid boss' appointment has galvanised the Three Lions squad and after a stellar World Cup qualifying campaign, confidence is now sky-high going to South Africa.

A more solid looking team recently registered a 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley and now the Chelsea goal-ace believes they are heading to football's biggest event with their heads held high.

"We are going into this World Cup with a very good mindset, especially when you compare where we are to where we were," Lampard told the Daily Mirror.

"There was a time when we played for England when we didn't believe we could beat anybody, almost. Now there is a real belief when we run out on to the pitch.

"We were a group of individuals who were not doing what we were capable of doing but he [Fabio Capello] brought us into line from the start."

England are in Group C, and will play USA, Algeria and Slovenia in the hope of booking a place in the knockout stage of the showpiece event in South Africa.

Clifford Winner For Young Ireland

Conor Clifford, who scored the winner in the FA Youth Cup Final, netted another important goal on Friday night, this time for Republic of Ireland Under 19s.

The midfielder's penalty on the hour following a handball was enough to beat home side Ukraine, despite Ireland losing a man to a red card just after half-time.

The 1-0 win in a four-team tournament keeps Ireland in with a chance of qualifying for the European Championship Finals in July.

Ireland lost to England in their first game and the England Under-19 side made it two wins out of two with a 4-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Kiev. Jacob Mellis played 65 minutes and supplied the pass for the third goal.

Malouda Targets Trophy Treble

France winger Florent Malouda is hungry for more success at the World Cup after his season of glory with Chelsea.

Malouda helped the Stamford Bridge outfit claim their first-ever double as they triumphed in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

And the midfield maestro, who has been an integral member of Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, now wants to help France silence their critics in South Africa.

"When you have such a great season, where you've shared so much with the fans, you want to experience the same thing with the national team," Malouda told the Daily Mirror.

"We don't want to go back to our clubs with our heads down. When you win titles with your club, you become more ambitious."

Les Bleus endured a rocky road in qualifying for the summer showpiece, only scraping through after their controversial play-off victory over Republic of Ireland.

But Malouda, who is now back in favour with Raymond Domenech after falling out with the departing coach, believes they can silence their critics.

"It's all down to what we do on the pitch, the attitude we have, and above all the results," he added.

"There's a certain amount of responsibility when you play for the French team, but the players feel like they're ready to take up the challenge. The context wasn't easy before, but we've tried to change things.

"What I like about the new system is that it's more attacking, I have more freedom and I'm not just a defensive midfielder like at Euro 2008.

"I'm someone who enjoys responsibility. It was quite painful for me the last couple of years when I was on the (France) bench. I did my best to turn the situation around, and I'm very happy."

José Mourinho Offers A Real Haven For Ashley Cole

It is the special relationship that has endured. José Mourinho is long gone from Chelsea; he is poised, indeed, to make his latest managerial move from Internazionale to Real Madrid. But the Portuguese continues to cherish the bond that he formed with the core members of his playing squad during those glittering three years in west London.

In the time since his departure from Stamford Bridge in September 2007, Mourinho has stayed in touch with Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, among others. A text here, a phone call there; sometimes to chew the fat, on other occasions to deliver a pep talk. There is the slightly draconian view that Mourinho ought not to contact players who are no longer his, a school of thought coloured, no doubt, by paranoia and the potential for tapping-up. Yet there is no employment law concerning friendship.

When Mourinho's Inter hosted Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 in late February, Cole was not only nursing a serious ankle injury but he had suffered from an eruption of lurid headlines related to his private life. Mourinho's comments were interesting. "I called Ashley Cole a few days ago," he said at the time, "because I care about him and I wish him a quick recovery. And because I like him very much, my advice is: 'Don't leave England.'"

It was put to Mourinho that Cole might benefit from a move abroad, given that the player's off-the-field indiscretions could make him a target for opposing fans. "I watched Ashley Cole play until the moment of his injury [on 10 February]," Mourinho replied, "and I watched him play superbly. So, if he has problems, they are for sure not on the pitch.

"[Carlo] Ancelotti [the Chelsea manager] must give him advice, his family must give him advice and he must think for himself. If he wants my little opinion, my opinion is: 'Stay in England.'"

Mourinho spoke with Cole's interests at heart, recognising also that the left-back, who many observers rate as the best in the European game, was enjoying his football at Chelsea. But, in the helter-skelter world of 21st century football, little stands still for long and, as Mourinho name-checked Cole, together with Lampard and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, as possible Real recruits, Cole was beginning to wonder whether he could continue to live in England. Mourinho, fully abreast of the situation, would offer him a velvet-lined escape route.

Installed as public enemy No1 following his split from his pop star wife Cheryl, Cole feels hounded. He loves Chelsea, where he has three years of his contract to run, but he cannot tolerate the manner in which his marriage breakdown has been reported. He feels that there have been grave inaccuracies and, with each one, his blood becomes hotter.

Yet the situation is compounded, in his eyes, when he considers the news reporters' quest for their next line. They have been camped outside Cole's house, his mother's house and even his nephew's school, in the hope of snaring a fresh angle. Friends of Cole believe that with every passing day the notion of his departure becomes more likely. Quite simply, he cannot live his life.

Chelsea would resist any Real bid for Cole, as they would for Lampard, but Mourinho's imminent arrival at the Bernabéu has cast long shadows. When Cole was asked in the build-up to the FA Cup final two weeks ago whether Arsène Wenger, his one-time mentor at Arsenal, or Mourinho had been the best manager he had worked for he plumped, without hesitation, for Mourinho.

Real's current left-back options are Marcelo and Alvaro Arbeloa. Mourinho said he normally played with "two offensive full-backs like Ashley Cole and [Inter's] Maicon" and, while Marcelo is attack-minded, there have been questions raised about his defensive prowess. Cole, by contrast, offers the complete package and Mourinho, lest it be forgotten, likes his defenders to defend first.

Lampard has never hidden his affection for Mourinho, and he came close to joining him at Inter in the summer of 2008. "At the time, if I am honest about it, I did have thoughts about going to Inter," he said. "It was a difficult time for me in my life after the death of my mother and everybody knows how I feel about José Mourinho."

Lampard stayed put to sign a new five-year contract, a decision he has not regretted, and he has said that he is determined to finish his career at Chelsea, not least as it is the wish of his family. Mourinho would face a challenge to persuade him otherwise.

Gerrard appears slightly less settled after a traumatic season at Liverpool. Real's interest in the midfielder is long-standing while he came close to joining Mourinho at Chelsea in the summer of 2005, only to have an eleventh-hour change of heart. Like his team-mate Fernando Torres, who is a target for most elite clubs in Europe, Gerrard has grown weary of the boardroom strife at Anfield, which has been destabilising, while it has also been reported that his relationship with the manager, Rafael Benítez, is strained.

Mourinho could be prepared to exploit any uncertainty.

Obi Mikel Joins Up With Nigeria

John Obi Mikel joined the Nigeria squad on Friday for the first time since knee surgery last month and will be fit for the World Cup, officials said.

The midfielder has been out of action since a minor operation last month and missed Chelsea's run-in to the English Premier League title as well as the London club's victory in this month's FA Cup final.

"He has completed his rehabilitation at Chelsea," a Nigerian Football Federation spokesman said.

Nigeria are training near Maldon in the English county of Essex and play a friendly against Colombia at Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Nigeria's opening World Cup Group B match is against Argentina in Johannesburg on June 12.

Frank Lampard Admits He'd Consider Move To MLS

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted that he could be tempted by a move to the MLS in a few seasons as his career draws to an end.

Lampard, 31, still has three years to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge but acknowledges that he might one day follow in the footsteps of his international team-mate David Beckham.

"It's his [Beckham's] decision, isn't it? When he went, I thought, maybe he's gone too early, but the more I thought about it, I thought, if that's what he wants to do, let him do it," Lampard told The Sabotage Times.

"I'd like to go and play in America when I'm 36 or 35 but you can't take away someone's right to go and play where they want."

Lampard, perhaps surprisingly, has also asserted that he has no interest in remaining in football once he has finished playing, either in coaching or the media.

He is also keen to have a meaningful career after football rather then living on his past glories.

"The first thing is after I finish I don't want to be involved with football, not as a manager, coach, agent or in the media. Not interested," he stated.

"I've been getting to know a lot about property, not just for me to live in, but as a business.

"I have a family to support, I know that might sound strange when you consider the money that's mentioned but I want to have a career after this, I don't want this to be everything.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life just living in the past."

Stamford Bridge Hosts Charity Events

Stamford Bridge has played host to several football tournaments over the past two weeks, helping to raise money for worthy causes.

The first event to take place saw the likes of Angus Deaton, Alistair Campbell, DJ Spooney and Ben Shepherd all help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

There were also charity events for Help a London Child and Right To Play before Thomas Cook took control of the hallowed turf for their day of fun.

Thomas Cook Sport gave Chelsea fans from all over the UK a chance to play inside their beloved ground as a prize, as two teams of 11, made up of Thomas Cook employees and competition winners, took to the pitch.

'After 30 years of watching games at Stamford Bridge, I was excited and nervous at the same time about playing here,' said competition winner Kevin Hyatt from Milton Keynes. 'It's an honour to be able to say I've followed in the footsteps of footballing legends and the experience is something I'll never forget.'

Then, yesterday, former Blue Gareth Hall took part in the Oil Aid pitch event, alongside fellow past players Ken Monkou, Keith Dublin and Garry Stanley, as they helped raise funds for Chelsea's community work.

Carlo Ancelotti: Chelsea Were Never Affected By Speculation About John Terry & Ashley Cole's Private Lives

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that the club were not affected by the media speculation surrounding John Terry and Ashley Cole’s private lives last season, as they secured a Premier League and FA Cup double.

The Italian said that, despite the English media’s interest in off-field issues and not tactics, the club managed to keep focused — for which they were rewarded with the first double in the club's history.

“Always we kept the private lives of the players outside of the press conference and outside of the training ground,” he told Chelsea’s official website, noting that in his homeland the media would not have been at all interested in Terry and Cole's off-field problems.

"In Italy the press conference is always focused on the line up. If you tell them the line up, it is finished," he said.

"Here they are interested in the private lives. I am not interested in that. Always we kept the private lives of the players outside of the press conference and outside of the training ground."

As well as praising his club’s efforts in securing their first league and cup double, Ancelotti also offered some advice towards the likes of Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez, by insisting that he is only interested in talking about his own team during press conferences.

“I don't like to use mind games in press conferences,” he stresses.

“I want to give something of our philosophy, how I want to manage the club, how I want to manage the players. Only this. I am interested in explaining my kind of behaviour in managing the team.”

Coach Milovan Rajevac Moans Over Michael Essien’s Absence

Ghana Coach Milovan Rajevac says he has to quickly put behind him Michael Essien’s unavailability for the World Cup and adopt a strategy for the team.

“I am really disappointed that Michael Essien will not be at the World Cup for Ghana as a player,” Rajevac told the Ghanaian FA website.

“He is an important player on and off the field but we can’t use him this time. Essien brings lots of advantages; he brings so many things to the team and always gives us options.”

The Serbian has rallied his charges to lift up their game and show a united front ahead of the global football showpiece this summer.

He said: “It’s most unfortunate. But I hope and believe that the other players will give their best.

“We want to achieve with this team and must work hard. We will focus on the task ahead and hope we have a good World Cup. I hope the past experiences with injuries, though unfortunate, will help us stay united and fight for each other.”

Ghana are paired in Group D with Australia, Germany and Serbia.

Chelsea Continue Search For An Asian Football Star

Chelsea's initiative of trying to find an Asian football star will see them hold trials between 29 and 31 May.

It is the scheme's second year and six players will get the chance to win a week-long trial at the club's academy.

The tournament is open to Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi players aged between eight and 13.

"This is a huge opportunity to come to Chelsea and enjoy the best coaches and the best training ground,' said Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"Everyone with a love for the game should sign up and see what they can do.

"It will be great fun and a good way to make new friends and who knows, perhaps one day we will see one of them at Chelsea."

Chelsea launched the first project of this kind last year and have increased the number of places available on the week-long trial from three to six.

The Stamford Bridge outfit had 350 participants at their Cobham training ground in 2009, with two of the winners having been signed by Southend United and Leyton Orient.

"My life has changed quite a bit after winning the trials," Jordan Sidhu, who was signed on a youth contract by Southend United, told BBC Asian Network.

"I'm now playing a high standard of football and am happy that I've got a chance to realise my dream of becoming a professional footballer."

The youngster explained that he only entered because of his mum.

"I came home from school and my mum said she had signed me up for a competition," he added. "I didn't expect anything from it but I went along and ended up winning it.

"The trials are very good because they are a lot different from what I was used to. There were big training grounds, nice facilities and I met Florent Malouda, Petr Cech, Nicolas Anelka and other Chelsea players.

"At first I was a bit starstruck, but I got used to it."

Chelsea have teamed up with Asian Media Group, Kick It Out and bhangra singer Jaz Dhami to help get the Asian community involved.

"I have been working very closely with a number of sporting bodies in encouraging more Asians to get involved in football," said Dhami.

"I want to help break down boundaries and encourage more Asians to get involved in the game."

Carlo Ancelotti Admits He Learned A Lot From A Positive First Season At Chelsea

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that his first season as a manager in the Premier League has taught him a lot.

The Italian steered the Blues to their first ever League and FA Cup double but admits that he still picked up some vital things along the way.

He also learned that English football, although at times distinguished by some very naive defending, is a much more exciting product than that served up by Serie A.

"I try to change something in the play but for me it was a very good experience this year," he told his club's official website.

"I learnt a lot of things, not only tactically but physically.

"For example in Italy, in training, we used to physically work without the ball. Here we work always with the ball - and here I learnt this. This is a very good thing.

"Technically, I think the small teams have more knowledge in Italy. Defensively, it is impossible in Italy to have a score 7-0 or 9-1 because the small teams stay back to defend and only do counter-attack.

"Here you can say that small teams play good football, they attack. Here it is different.

"Before I had good knowledge about the top four but not the small teams. I learnt that here."

Ancelotti also enjoyed the celebratory bus parade which marked the Blues' triumphs this season, treating supporters to a song on the way round.

"We did also in Italy the celebration with the bus," he added.

"I like to sing but I didn't prepare anything so I tried to sing a famous Italian song, 'Volare', and I think it was good for the atmosphere.

"It is very good to have a celebration with our fans, there was a fantastic atmosphere and this improves the relationship between the fans and the team. In the future it will be important to have this good relationship.

"But I don't know why they threw to us celery."

Ancelotti also concedes that his time as a player at AC Milan alongside the likes of Ruud Gullit and under the management of Arrigo Sacchi was a massive influence on the way he works now.

"Gullit was my friend. We played five years together, we shared a room, I have a very good relationship with him and he was a fantastic, attacking striker," the Italian explained.

"For me and also for a lot of players Sacchi was a fantastic teacher because also in that team there was a lot of players who have since done jobs as manager - Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Tassotti, Galli, me - there are seven or eight players from that squad who are coaches."

Croatian Defender Srna Wants Chelsea Move

Experienced Croatian defender Darijo Srna wants to make a step up and move to Chelsea.

The 27 year-old has been at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk since 2003 and has led the Ukrainian club to three championships and a UEFA Cup victory. Srna is a very experienced player and has amassed an impressive 73 caps for Croatia.

He has previously been linked with Tottenham, but according to Croatian tabloid 'Index', he has set his sights on Chelsea.

Srna said, "Chelsea is a club that suits my style and my style of play suits them. I want to make a step forward, to play in the Champions League with such a famous club. In general, Chelsea is the best option for me."

According to 'Index', Srna would only leave for a fee of at least 20 million Euros. The Croatian tabloid added that Srna's agent described talk of a move to Stamford Bridge as "just speculation."

Srna is a versatile player and can play either in defence or midfield on the right hand side, providing an attacking threat through crosses and set-pieces. With Juliano Belletti probably leaving Chelsea, there could soon be room for a right-sided player such as Srna at Stamford Bridge.

Blues Caught In Cole Crisis

Chelsea are facing a desperate battle to hang on to tormented star Ashley Cole.

The England defender faces the bleak prospect of becoming public enemy No 1 next season following his bitter split from national sweetheart Cheryl Cole.

The Sun exclusively revealed yesterday that the Girls Aloud star has filed for divorce in London.

Cole is now certain to suffer a terrace backlash - with his life on and off the pitch continuously under a microscope.

That has alerted Europe's biggest clubs - and especially new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who has never hidden his love for his former Chelsea player.

A Madrid source confirmed: "The feeling is Ashley will have a terrible time if he stays in England next season.

"Clubs like Real are hoping Chelsea will sympathize with Cole's plight and let him escape all the abuse and find a new life - hopefully with us."

Cole has become increasingly worn down with life in England, although he has never fallen out of love with Chelsea, where he has three years left on his current contract.

There is no doubt the Double winners want to keep their prized defender - but even Stamford Bridge insiders realize they face a tough battle.

One said: "Everyone at Chelsea can see Ashley loves the club, his team-mates and the fans. There's no doubt about that.

"But who could blame him for not wanting to live in England any more, especially after his divorce from Cheryl?

"We can all imagine what kind of abuse he'll face from away fans next season. Who'd want to put up with that?"

There will be no shortage of offers for Cole, widely regarded as the world's best left-back.

While Mourinho will be at the front of the queue, Real's rivals Barcelona would also be keen to capture the Three Lions star.

AC Milan, Roma and Bayern Munich are also said to be monitoring events.

Di Santo`s Dutch Choice?

After a season playing his football up on the delightful cobbled streets of Blackburn, Franco Di Santos has returned to Chelsea.

Whispers that Blackburn might try to sign him on a permanent basis fizzled out in a similar manner to which the impression Di Santo was making at Blackburn did.

Therefore the young Argentine, clearly behind Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, has a decision to make.

Does he persist with trying to make a breakthrough at Chelsea, does he look for another spell out on loan or would a move away from SW6 be more beneficial?

According to one red-top Franco is looking at the latter of those three options with a move to FC Twente seemingly on the cards with the whisper that, for Franco, regular first team football is of paramount importance as he seeks to develop his career.