Why Chelsea need to retain Ashley Cole

If recent reports are to be believed, then Ashley Cole is almost certainly on his way out of Chelsea, with cash-rich PSG linked with the left-back. Carlo Ancelotti told a particular newspaper that he would love to have Cole amongst his ranks. PSG slipped up when they posted a tweet saying Ashley Cole is changing to blue and red very soon. This tweet was hastily removed from their official twitter account later.

As a Chelsea fan, I’m a bit concerned about who his replacement is going to be. He is arguably the best left-back in the world right now, and it baffles me why Chelsea would let go of the best in the world, just because he is in his 30s. Chelsea’s policy towards players in their 30s have left quite a few fuming; Nicolas Anelka was one of the latest exhuming his disgust when Drogba left the club to join the Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua. I don’t see any reason why Chelsea shouldn’t offer him a two-year contract instead of the proposed one-year contract. There’s not a lot faith you’re showing in a player when you offer him a one year contract, but hey, it’s already clear that the Roman doesn’t care for this.

Even in the recent game against Manchester City in the Premier League, Cole was one of the stand-out performers, putting in good tackles wherever necessary. He was steady at the back line, rarely caught off-guard. He even had a goal-scoring opportunity when Torres played him in, and Cole uncharacteristically attempted a shot from long range, which just went over the woodwork.

But his most stand-out performance till date has to be against Bayern Munich at Munich in the UEFA Champions League final. He was technically brilliant, and was very very steady in handling the attacking threats of Bayern. This took place this year, and from the way he played, it is anyone’s guess that he still has a very good few years left in him, and certainly more than one.

If he does leave, then as of now, Ryan Bertrand seems likely to seal his spot. It wouldn’t be a big surprise when we see Lamps leave as well; he too has been linked with a Chinese side. The most shocking arrival in this window would however, be Didier Drogba, who has been linked with a loan move to Chelsea to steady fort you may say, i.e if he gets the necessary permission from FIFA.

It’s in Chelsea’s best interest to keep Cole at the club and of course in a fan’s view as well, for the legend he is.

#KTBFFH