Real Madrid and Monaco lead race for Cole

Ashley Cole will consider lucrative offers from Monaco and Real Madrid this summer as he prepares to leave Chelsea after eight years.

Cole has already received approaches from eight other clubs, from the Premier League and overseas, and Monaco are set to compete with Real Madrid in a wages war to secure the former England international on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old has not completely dismissed the prospect of staying at Chelsea, with his contract expiring at Stamford Bridge at the end of next month, though the chances of him staying are thought to be remote.

Chelsea are offering only a 12-month deal on reduced terms so it seems more likely that Cole will pursue one final move before bringing down the curtain on his career, with Monaco understood to be keen on offering him a fresh start in France.

The super-rich Ligue 1 club, who are searching for a new head coach after former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri’s departure on Tuesday, are interested in Cole and will offer a mammoth tax-free salary. Backed by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco could conceivably offer even better wages than Madrid.

Liverpool and Manchester City have also made tentative inquiries about the defender while Inter Milan could also come into the equation.

Cole has gone away on holiday in California to decide his next move but has made it clear that playing in the Major League Soccer in America is not an option.

He is still convinced he can perform at the highest level and the chase to sign the free agent is likely to intensify over this summer.

Last season proved frustrating for Cole, after losing his place to Cesar Azpilicueta and making only 15 Premier League starts under Jose Mourinho, but he will be highly sought after and could seek a two-year deal.

He tweeted: “Now I’ll be looking for another journey in my life. I hope it can be like my others, full of fun and of course win something.

“I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent. Sadly, it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them.” Cole announced his retirement from international football last week after he was told he would not be included in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup.

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Ashley Cole: Staying at Chelsea is not an option

Ashley Cole is set to leave Chelsea this summer after revealing that staying at Stamford Bridge is not an option for him.

The 33-year-old's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire at the end of June, while he retired from international duty after being left out of England's World Cup squad.

Jose Mourinho has preferred the right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back this season, but the 51-year-old was upbeat over Cole's future at the club and hinted a new deal could be reached.

However, late on Monday evening, Cole conceded an extension is unlikely and will now assess offers elsewhere ahead of the new season.

"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," the left-back posted on Twitter.

Cole joined Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006 and went on to win the Premier League tile in 2010, the Champions League in 2012 and the FA Cup four times.

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Wenger shocked by Cole axe

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is surprised that former Gunners full-back Ashley Cole has lost his place in the Chelsea side

Cole will miss out against his former club on Monday night when Chelsea travel to the Emirates, with Jose Mourinho confirming Cesar Azpilicueta will start at left-back.

England international Cole has found himself out of favour in Mourinho's plans in recent weeks and Wenger admits he is shocked that ex-Arsenal man Cole will miss out against his old club.

"Yes, it is a surprise to me that Ashley has been left out by Chelsea," he said.

"I still see Ashley sometimes in the big games, he can produce great performances still.

I don't know whether he is still England's best left-back - my name is not Roy Hodgson."

Cole, who left Arsenal to join Chelsea in 2006 in one of the Premier League's most controversial transfers, is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

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Chelsea left-back to retire at end of the season

Ashley Cole to retire at the end of the season


Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is considering retiring from football at the end of this season after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho. Cole, 33, would compete in World Cup 2014 before hanging up his boots.

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Chelsea : 2 players Not available for Cardiff clash

Ashley Cole and Andre Schurrle will miss Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Cardiff City on Saturday while Fernando Torres is available for selection.

Cole missed England's final two World Cup qualifiers with a rib injury and has been unable to train ahead of Saturday's match at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho also confirmed Ryan Bertrand will start at left-back in Cole's absence.

“Ashley is not selected. I don’t know [when he will return] – it depends on the pain," Mourinho told reporters.

“It’s not dangerous but it’s very painful. At this moment the pain persists and he can’t train.
If he can train on Monday and be a choice for Champions League – I have my doubts.”

Schurrle will miss the clash against Cardiff with a leg injury he sustained whilst on international duty with Germany.

The 22-year-old scored a hat-trick for Joachim Low's side in their 5-3 win over Sweden on Tuesday but Mourinho insists he is happy with the other options he has at his disposal, despite the German forward's recent form.

“It’s a kind of problem that happens a lot in World Cup years,” Mourinho continued.

“A player with a little problem wants to play for his country and returns to the club.

“He has a little problem in a [leg] muscle and we cannot risk. It’s no problem because he was in very good form.

“We have other players and options. It’s not a problem. It’s a position where we have good enough problems. It’s a chance for someone else.”

Torres suffered a knee injury during Chelsea's 4-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest on October 1, but Mourinho has revealed the Spaniard is in contention to start and is competing for a place alongside Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba.

“He’s ready. The medical department are good and the player is very good. Good dedication. He’s back," Mourinho said.

“We have the three [strikers] available. I want to have problems by having players to choose.

“I don’t want an easy selection. I want a difficult selection. [Fernando] Torres, [Samuel] Eto’o and Demba [Ba] are all ready.

“He could start. I was doing tactical work but I was not wanting to show the player who is going to play. They don’t know who is going to play.”

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