Ashley Cole extends Chelsea stay until summer of 2014

Chelsea Football Club have today confirmed that left-back Ashley Cole has signed a one-year extension to his current deal, which was set to expire at the end of the season.

Cole had firmly expected to leave at the end of the season, along with Blues legend Frank Lampard, following rumours that the Chelsea hierarchy were unwilling to offer the 32 year-old a new deal.

The 99-cap England defender’s agent was in Madrid for talks over a possible move to Jose Mourinho’s current club, Real Madrid, at the end of the season. He has also been linked with reunions with Ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti at Paris Saint-Germain but has decided he would rather stay exactly where he is for now.

Cole said: ‘I am pleased I will be starting my eighth season at Chelsea. I have great memories here and I enjoy coming to training every day. The staff are amazing and I enjoy training with the lads.

‘I have been able to fulfil nearly all my ambitions at Chelsea. I have won the Champions League, the League, I have won FA Cups here but of course you don’t want to stop winning trophies and being at a big club, you are always fighting to win a trophy.

‘Being here for seven years and being at Arsenal before that playing for trophies, you never lose that hunger. I wanted to stay at Chelsea because we are always fighting and challenging for trophies. That desire and the will to want to win things have not gone.’

We will all be happy to see the best left-back around staying at Stamford Bridge for another season, and are now hoping Frank Lampard will be next. There was no possible player who could replace Cole’s ability or influence on the team so for me it was a no-brainer. Well done Roman, now all we want is you to hurry up and extend Lampard’s contract, and confirm Rafa Benitez will not be staying on beyond the summer.