Cole ready to quit Chelsea?

Ashley Cole is apparently ready to walk out on Chelsea after only being offered a one-year deal to extend his stay at the club.

The England defender is in the last year of his contract and could leave Stamford Bridge in January for free.

A club insider said Abramovich has a rule at the club, the any player of 30 can only be given a one-year extension but it's madness in Ashley Cole's case.

"Everyone knows he's the best left-back in the world.

"He trains hard, really looks after himself and can play at this level for many more years to come. There isn't a club in the world who wouldn't want Ashley on a free."

Cole, 31, famously left Arsenal in 2006 after he claimed that he almost 'crashed his car' when the Gunners only offered him a £55,000 per week deal.

Now Cole - who will miss England's World Cup qualifier against Moldova tomorrow with an ankle injury - has another contract battle to deal with.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of his former player and if Cole does quit Chelsea, the big spending Paris St Germain and Zenit St Petersburg would be able to offer a mega money deal for Cole.

Cole was willing to see out his career at Stamford Bridge so this has stunned insiders.

Last night there was further evidence to prove that Chelsea are ready to lose Cole when his understudy Ryan Bertrand signed a new five-year contract.

Bertrand, 23, has been rewarded for his progress at the club.

He became the first man ever to make his Champions League debut in the final in May and made his England debut last month against Italy.

Another player whose Blues days are numbered is Florent Malouda who has been ordered to train with the youngsters.

The French winger, 32, tweeted a picture of the club's Under-21 academy and said: "This is where I'll train for my last season with the Blues!!!"
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