Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
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Jose considering his options

11 Aug 2006 - 16:40:11

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has started to look for other solutions to his left-back problem after talks about a deal to sign Arsenal's Ashley Cole stalled.

The Gunners have placed a £25million price-tag on the England international, but Chelsea have made it clear they are not prepared to pay more than £16million.

Cole remains Mourinho's number one target to fill the Blues' left-back berth but, with the end of the transfer window rapidly approaching, he has started to consider some alternatives.

"Nothing has changed," said Mourinho. "He [Cole] is for sure an Arsenal player, and he is probably training with them. I cannot say more than that."

He added: "I am looking first of all to what I have.

"I have [Wayne] Bridge, Paulo Ferreira, I have [Lassana] Diarra, if I need, [Michael] Essien if I need. They are not pure left-backs, but are people who can make a job for us.

"Outside Chelsea there are other countries, other championships and other options.

"We cannot arrive in the last day of August and be without what we feel we need to close our squad.

"We are working, and waiting at the same time, and we will see what can happen."