Cole Cries

Cole Cries

Ashley Cole broke down in tears yesterday after
playing what seems certain to be his last home
game for Chelsea.
Cole cried as he joined in a lap of appreciation at
Stamford Bridge after the Blues’ 0-0 draw with
relegation-favourites Norwich.
According to Starsport, the 33-year old is set to join
Liverpool or New York Red Bulls on a free this
summer, after Chelsea let him know he was going to
be surplus to requirements next season.
Ashley Cole is comforted by John Terry yesterday
The England star – who has been at the club for
eight years and made 337 appearances – fell down
the pecking order this season under new boss Jose
Mourinho.
He went 18 matches without starting until injuries
and suspensions saw him brought back in late last
month.
Fellow England stalwarts, skipper John Terry and
vice-captain Frank Lampard, look poised to sign
one-year extensions on vastly-reduced wages.
But Cole seems sure to leave, with his emotional
response proof the former Arsenal man is off.
Asked about the trio’s future, Mourinho said: ”Again,
they are with the club on their future.
“The summer is a long summer for us. As a club,
it’s a long time to be calm, to sit and discuss and
analyse the market and possibilities. A long time.”
The goalless draw with the Canaries ensured
Chelsea booked third spot, due to their markedly
superior goal difference to Arsenal.
It also gave Norwich a tiny chance of survival as
they now need Sunderland to lose at home to both
West Brom on Wednesday and Swansea on Sunday,
while they beat Arsenal on the final day.
Mourinho, though, did reveal he had a good laugh
yesterday when Eden Hazard went to ground as
Ryan Bennett challenged him in the box.
“I saw it in the game, but to confirm I had a quick
run to my office which is just there, and I arrived in
time to watch and then go back to the dug-out
laughing.”
Asked why he was laughing, he added: “Because I
can’t cry.”
The Portuguese manager insisted he could say no
more because his assistant Rui Faria was serving a
six-match ban for his angry touchline clash with
referee Mike Dean and fourth official Phil Dowd at
Stamford Bridge last month during the defeat by
Sunderland.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “My assistant is in jail – and I
don’t want to talk.”
Mourinho admitted he was upset with his players’
efforts in the first half.
“It was a lazy first half, slow, no pressure, midfield
never arriving to press an opponent, passing slow,”
he said.
Norwich caretaker boss Neil Adams felt his men
ought to have had a penalty in the first half when
John Terry caught Martin Olsson.
“I’ve had a look and it’s pretty clear,” he said.
“Martin gets a touch to take it away from Cole, and
Terry’s momentum takes him out. Probably (a red
card), but definitely a penalty.”
“Now we keep our fingers crossed and hope for a
few results. If we go into the Arsenal match needing
to win at Carrow Road, that’s all we can hope for.”