Joe Cole contract negotiations continue – Wilkins optimistic
By dixon9
March 5 2010
Protracted contract negotiations between the club and Joe Cole appear to be no nearer to a satisfactory completion. Cole’s form has dipped of late due to lack of fitness and match time but the club and fans are generally becoming anxious. Nevertheless, assistant coach Ray Wilkins remains optimistic:
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"We are desperate to keep Joe," said Wilkins.
"I know the club are and we as a management group feel the same. He is a very valuable asset to us. Joe himself is upbeat about his future here. He loves Chelsea and wants to stay. It is a contractual situation that he and the club, I am sure, will sort out. We sincerely hope he will be here next season.
"I would not have thought his form has been affected by the contract situation. I just think he has had a long lay-off, something like 10 months, and it is never easy to come back. Your form does drop, and Joe has just had that dip. He has got to get a little bit more consistency back and then there will not be a problem with him. But, as Fabio said, he has not been too impressed with Joe's form over the last couple of months. That's why he wasn't involved against Egypt but, if he performs to the ability we know Joe has, then Fabio will take him."
All kinds of no doubt exaggerated wage demands are being reported in the media. The claims are around £100 - 120,000-a-week up from a current salary of £80,000-a-week.
Cole, despite originally playing for West Ham, comes from a Chelsea supporting family and used to be a ball-boy at the Bridge.
There are a few who say that Joe is not worth it and we should get rid of him (an incredible posture to take in my opinion – we so often demand loyalty from players – so how about some loyalty from the club and fans?) whilst the majority feel the club should do their utmost to keep one of our most mercurial talents who genuinely loves the club.
At only 28 (the supposed peak age of a footballer), Cole’s contract is due to expire in the summer when he could sign on a free transfer for a new club with its consequential bumper contract.
No doubt Ferguson and Mancini are monitoring the situation very closely.
Come on Chels! Sort this out!
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"He will stay at Chelsea next year - of that I am 100 per cent clear. He will be in the squad for next year."
"It’s my aim and the aim of the club to keep him in the squad because Joe Cole is an important player, a very professional player, and one who has a lot of quality.
"For these reasons, we want to keep him.”
Wilkins:
“We are desperate to keep Joe. I know the club are and we as a management group feel the same. He is a valuable asset to us," he said.
“I have spoken to Joe on numerous occasions and he is upbeat about his future here.
"He loves Chelsea. He wants to stay at Chelsea and I’m sure the club and his people will sort the situation out.
"We sincerely hope he is here next season."
(just thought I´d add something to this popular thread!)
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
He would start for me on tuesday.
"Joe Cole has the same focus as the rest of the team. He wants to play well and wants to win the title,"
"For him, there is also a desire to go to the World Cup and if he carries on like he did here he will be there.
"Now he has some consistency in his game and that is good for him."
"He will definitely sign a new contract. There is no problem, don't worry," he said.
"I've spoken a lot about Joe Cole with my club and everyone has a desire for him to stay at Chelsea and so does he.
"There is not a problem, it is an economical problem nothing else."
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.