Sign him up: Lampard tells Ancelotti to extend Cole's deal to boost Chelsea

11 August 2009 10:25
Frank Lampard has urged new boss Carlo Ancelotti to strengthen his squad - by extending Joe Cole's current deal at Stamford Bridge. The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and negotiations have reached a stalemate after the England international suffered a knee injury last month. Cole, who hasn't played for Chelsea since January, remains a perpetual target for former boss Harry Redknapp at Spurs, and with the Blues agreeing new deals for the likes of John Terry and Didier Drogba, Lampard has urged the club to add Cole to that list. He said: 'It will be great if he follows all the others and signs a new contract. It's for Joe and the club to sort out but he is part of the furniture now. 'It is very important that the club keep the affiliation with the English players, the fans relate to us. We have become a core of the club and Joe's a member of that.' Lampard believes that his Chelsea team-mate's imminent return will be a boost for the club after manager Carlo Ancelotti's admission that he won't be buying any more players this summer. He added: 'Joe coming back will be like a new signing for us. He has been out since January and that is a long time to be without someone of his talent. He is looking to be back in the next few weeks.' Lampard, who is set to win his 71st cap in England's friendly away at Holland in Amsterdam, is also looking forward to playing alongside the former West Ham star for the national team again. 'Joe has been a big miss for England as well as Chelsea. Before he had his injury he was playing fantastically,' Lampard told the London Evening Standard.

Source: Daily_Mail