Over 30'S DEBATE: Do you agree with Chelsea's stance?

I was wondering what Chelsea fans think of the club’s stance with the over 30′s at the club that has become more than apparent in the last few seasons? Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have all left the club after failing to agree terms on contract extensions with the club and if reports are to be believed, Frank Lampard and now Ashley Cole could both follow suit this summer.

Is Cole next in line for a Chelsea exit?

The directive that has come from upstairs is that once a player reaches the age of 30 and over and are still valued and wanted by the club, a one-year rolling contract is offered as the extension. I just wonder how you people feel about this situation?

Nicolas Anelka has hit out at Chelsea in recent days and is quoted as saying:“At Chelsea, as soon as you get past 30, you get the impression you’re too old. Chelsea could react in another way, When they need you, you’re the best. When they don’t, get lost.”

Do you feel as though it should be based on the individual situation with the player such as Ashley Cole for example who is only 31 and has at least two more seasons at the top in him or does the club keep their standpoint for everyone and anyone that reaches that age?

For me it’s a difficult situation. For example, Frank Lampard is 34 now and coming into his final year of his contract. Although Frank will tell you differently, he cannot perform with the same intensity in every single game in every single competition these days and with the younger players fighting for his place, Frank will find himself on the bench for more games than ever this season. For instance, last season who would have thought that Frank would start on the bench at Arsenal the other week?

For Ashley Cole it’s a different situation. He is still the best and most consistent left back in the country and like I said earlier, he has at least two good seasons left in him. If it was me I would offer a two year deal and not just the one. The club thinks differently and it seems as though we have to expect that now.

Does that mean it’s the right way forward? Are the club making a big mistake with Cole or is now the time to bring Ryan Bertrand into the team week in, week out with Patrick Van Aanholt as his understudy for next season?

It’s an interesting debate here and I would love to hear from plenty of Chelsea fans out there and your argument for your opinions.

So come on, give your views on the question below: Do you agree with the club’s stance with the over 30′s?