Chelsea defender and England international Ashley Cole could weigh his options about a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer, after a fall out with manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has dropped Cole from all the big matches, selecting 24-year old Cesar Azpilicueta as his preferred left back in the starting XI. While the Spaniard has started against big teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and the most recent being Manchester City, Cole has been a regular starter against mid-league table opponents as the likes of Southampton, Hull City and Stoke City.
Cole, who signed a new one-year deal with Chelsea in January 2013, became the highest paid defender in the world, earning a staggering £200,000 a week. With his current contract expiring in the summer, a move to former club Arsenal is on the table. Cole signed for London rivals Chelsea in the summer of 2006, right after their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Final.
The 33-year old has had an impressive career at Chelsea winning 4 FA Cups, the Premier League title, the UEFA Europa League and has a Champions League winner’s medal. Asked about if he could re-sign Ashley Cole after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea in December at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger replied: “If I needed a left back, yes.”
Make of that what you will but with Chelsea not willing to start talks for a contract extension, Ashley Cole is bound to leave Chelsea in the summer, with a move back to Arsenal highly likely.
