Ashley Cole has been linked with a switch to MLS club New York Red Bulls of late but reports in the Telegraph tell us that the defender is determined to stay in London.
The left-back has recently lost his place to Cesar Azpilicueta in Jose Mourinho’s side and may be tempted to leave the Premier League to join up with his former team-mate Thierry Henry in New York, but he has no plans on going anywhere in January according to the Telegraph‘s piece.
For the moment Mourinho says that he is happy with Azpilicueta’s performances at left-back and told reporters at today’s press conference that Cole will have to wait for his opportunity. He also added that he didn’t believe he needed to reinforce the position this winter because he is happy with what he has.
Cole’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and in the form he has been in this season it may be a surprise if he is offered a one-year extension – especially as Chelsea are eyeing the likes of Luke Shaw, Fabio Coentrao and Ricardo Rodriguez as potential replacements for the 32-year-old.
But Cole will get another chance to prove himself – either Sunderland or Stoke City – as he works his way back to full fitness from a rib injury that he aggravated during England’s friendly against Germany last month. A number of players have enjoyed a renaissance under Mourinho so far this season so his backers will argue, why not Cole?
Even if Cole isn’t to be offered a contract extension at the end of the season I cannot see him making a January move to the US because it would put his place in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad in jeopardy and even though he is likely to be second choice behind Leighton Baines, he stands a very good chance of going to Brazil with the Three Lions.
