Why Chelsea will regret letting go of Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole announced on his Twitter account last night that he is set to leave Chelsea in the summer. Having spent eight years at with the London club and winning everything possible in the game, Cole’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Cole said on Twitter "I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent and sadly it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them”. "And now I'll be looking for another journey in my life hope it can be like my others full of fun and of course WIN something." Cesar Azpilicueta, a right back, has reduced Cole to just 17 appearances for the club this season, The Spaniard has had a very good season, in particular with his work rate and dealing with wingers trying to cut inside. But at times has been caught out defensively when wingers attack on his weaker left foot, such as the game against the defeat Sunderland, where the defender gave away a penalty. Cole was one of three of Chelsea’s old guard who were out of contract this summer, including John Terry and Frank Lampard. Terry has already agreed a new one year deal, while Lampard has delayed his future till after the World Cup. Lampard and Cole are understood to only be offered half the wages that they are on now, which neither of party are said to be pleased about. When Cole has been asked to step in this season he has done an outstanding job. The two games against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and against Liverpool in the Premiership Cole was faultless. However Roy Hodgson decided to give Luke Shaw a spot in his World Cup squad instead of Cole, resulting in him retiring from the international football. Jose Mourinho, who loaned out Ryan Bertrand to Aston Villa, believes that he does not have the quality to be at Chelsea. Instead the London club have been looking at Alex Sandro of Porto, Alberto Moreno from Sevilla and Luke Shaw who looks bound for Manchester United. Whomever Chelsea signs this summer there would be no one better to learn their trade than under one of the best left-backs in the history of the game. Shaw and Moreno are both young, talented full-backs, who are good at attacking down the flanks, but are not yet defensively sound, would no doubt make them a better player. Cole will not be short of offers in the summer. With teams such as: PSG, Monaco, Liverpool, Real Madrid, as well as sides from the MLS all fighting it out for his signature, it’s hard to see why Chelsea are letting go of a man whom still has so much quality and experience.

Source: DSG