So.....

Rumour has it Ashley Cole wants 200k a week to extend his contract? I know he is an incredible left back, but 200k a week for a 31 year old defender????

True? or media bullsh*t?

If true, sell and get a replacement/go with Bertrand or pay up the dosh?

Not worth 200K p/w. Plus he'll want it for 3 years, so we'll possibly have someone on the bench in 3 years earning 200Kp/w. If he wants to play like that let him play his contract down, and let Bertrand take the reigns. Most likely media bullsh*t though.

Bertrand can't be far off ready now.

This has been simmering for a few days and considering his contract runs out next summer, his agent is doing a good job. I can begrudge him if he wants that amount as it will be his last major contract and I see Chinese clubs, maybe Anzi or PSG matching that amount. With FFP kicking in I just don't think we will be offering him, Frank or JT 100k + contracts come negotiation time and it will be rolling contracts. Here comes the dilemma take a huge pay cut and continue competing in a major league or move abroad and take the money offered.

Media BS. They always want to portray him as a greedy bar steward whenever they can.

I`ll believe it when I see it. The media have been making all kinds of sh*te up about him leaving lately.

What is 200k/week for a world class player that proved himself,had fantastic games and was so important the last years.

It is 8 million instead of ?..? per year..

Just see it as a nice end of his days gift

Thats just my opinion about special players that want a nice last gift .

I know maybe it is not 100 procent correct,but it is just my vision.

Edited August 3, 201213 yr by Belgian_SW6_Lover

What is 200k/week for a world class player that proved himself,had fantastic games and was so important the last years.

It is 8 million instead of ?..? per year..

Just see it as a nice end of his days gift

Thats just my opinion about special players that want a nice last gift .

I know maybe it is not 100 procent correct,but it is just my vision.

Last days gift?

He aint dying lol and he already has enough :)

I don't normally do this twitter thing, but he said this:

"Why do people talk sooooo much rubbish when they don't even know what is going on, #doesmyheadin"

Sounds like typical media bollox to me.

I don't normally do this twitter thing, but he said this:

"Why do people talk sooooo much rubbish when they don't even know what is going on, #doesmyheadin"

I might be para but Ashley saying... 'they don't know whats going on' says to me, somethings going on.

If its media.....F@@@ off

If its A.C.........F@@@ off

Its media BS!

What is 200k/week for a world class player that proved himself,had fantastic games and was so important the last years.

It is 8 million instead of ?..? per year..

Just see it as a nice end of his days gift

Thats just my opinion about special players that want a nice last gift .

I know maybe it is not 100 procent correct,but it is just my vision.

While I doubt the story is true, your vision is horrific.

What I would say is this ..

It pisses me off that we continually let players go on a free. Sturridge is in the last year of his contract Ashley is in the last year of his contract and probably others, Lampard for one. If we're going to let them go, or if they don't want to renew when it comes to negotiating time, can we not get a fee for them, why do we always let them roll down their contract? Sturridge is worth good money and Ashley is no has-been, as we saw towards the end of last season. Our best player over both legs of the semi and the final. Our best player. Undoubtedly.

While I have high hopes for Bertrand, it's way too early to tell. Many players have looked good when first breaking into the side only to tail off as they found their natural level. When Ashley was young, at Arsenal, bursting on the scene, there was something incredibly special about him. He had a very nasty side, a determined side, he was driven. In short, he was a winner, and it was evident even then. He was dynamic and he was no mean competitor. He has become more disciplined over the years but he still has that winner's mentality, that determination to prove people wrong, and that big-game temperament.

If Bertrand becomes half the player he is, he will be very good indeed.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

So is your opinion that we sell Cole and Sturridge? Problem is we would have to sign replacements for both, it's not like we're rich for choice in both of those positions. Bertand maybe could be our number 1, but we'd still need a back up for him.

What I would say is this ..

It pisses me off that we continually let players go on a free. Sturridge is in the last year of his contract Ashley is in the last year of his contract and probably others, Lampard for one. If we're going to let them go, or if they don't want to renew when it comes to negotiating time, can we not get a fee for them, why do we always let them roll down their contract? Sturridge is worth good money and Ashley is no has-been, as we saw towards the end of last season. Our best player over both legs of the semi and the final. Our best player. Undoubtedly.

While I have high hopes for Bertrand, it's way too early to tell. Many players have looked good when first breaking into the side only to tail off as they found their natural level. When Ashley was young, at Arsenal, bursting on the scene, there was something incredibly special about him. He had a very nasty side, a determined side, he was driven. In short, he was a winner, and it was evident even then. He was dynamic and he was no mean competitor. He has become more disciplined over the years but he still has that winner's mentality, that determination to prove people wrong, and that big-game temperament.

If Bertrand becomes half the player he is, he will be very good indeed.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

He was average at Arsenal and very few Chelsea fans were happy he was signed, and for a good two seasons after he came to Chelsea he was definitely no better than Wayne Bridge if not worse. Being the best English left back when your competition was Wayne Bridge and Jlloyd Samuel isn't exactly a highlight.

It wasn't until Scolari/Hiddink's season that we began to see what a top class player he was.

Edited August 3, 201213 yr by SydneyChelsea

If it is true, Cashley! (He's one of the best LB's around, if not the best, and he tends to give his all, so no real hate).

I don't believe the 200k numbers, but I do think he'll be clamoring for a raise. This will likely be his last big contract, and at the level he is playing, why not, as long as the sum he is asking for is reasonable. I wouldn't say go out and give him what JT and Frank are making, but if we want to get him on a 2-year extension while bumping his salary up a bit. If anyone else on the team complains, tell them that once they are the best in the world at their position, they can get a raise.

Edited August 4, 201213 yr by ace

My view on something i read in this thread.What the hell would the point be of getting a bigger ground..Id presume that it would be to increase capacity to generate more income maybe...The increased capacity would only bloody cover 1 players wage demand.Also im fed up with the persons in charge that dont know what theyre doing when it comes to end of contracts dealings and or letting players get to go for free (and ) even the waistage of the many players we pay far too much for and then let go for a fraction of the price when we realise theyre sh*t.If it were left to me the following would happen.....This would have to be a european blanket scenario...OUR LEAGUES....DIV 2...All players get 3000 per wk wages

DIV 1..All players get 5000

CHAMPIONSHIP....All players are on 15000

Prem....All players in a band of wages between..30000 and 70000

Also each and every player would be given a bonus by independent FA agents for effort goals etc....

Yeah....ok ill clear off

Also im fed up with the persons in charge that dont know what theyre doing when it comes to end of contracts dealings and or letting players get to go for free (and ) even the waistage of the many players we pay far too much for and then let go for a fraction of the price when we realise theyre sh*t.

Mike, I respect your opinion, but I wanted to reply to the above quote. I think clubs like Chelsea, City, and any other club that has an influx of cash have to deal with this letting good players go on a free business. For most of these guys, we are probably paying the players a nice weekly salary, usually a little higher than other teams are willing to pay. Therefore, when guys like Kalou, Malouda, Deco, etc. are faced with moving to a new club and a pay cut or staying at Chelsea with their friends and making more money, well....

When there is something to be gotten for the player, like a Zhirkov or Robben, we will sell them. We have also been attaching sell-on or buy-back clauses (allegedly) to young prospects we have cleared out. I don't want it to happen, but I worry that in the next couple of years we will lose someone big to Real or Barca, but rest assured that if we do, that transfer won't be a free.

He was average at Arsenal and very few Chelsea fans were happy he was signed, and for a good two seasons after he came to Chelsea he was definitely no better than Wayne Bridge if not worse.

Sydney, I want a word with you, come here.

Ashley was simply brilliant at Arsenal, he was part of The Invincibles, part of double-winning sides and so on. Arsenal were a counter-attacking side par excellence, the like of which had never been seen before, certainly not on these shores, and Ashley was a big part of that, with his energy, his pace, his movement and his tenacity. Let's not mess about here, there's a reason Jose pulled out the stops to get him, he was simply a brilliant attacking full-back who had established himself as England's first-choice at a tender age. Furthermore, Arsenal have never, in all these years, suitably replaced him, and they've never forgiven Cole, which should tell you just how good he was.

The reason many Chelsea fans weren't too enthusiastic about his arrival (me included) was that we had Wayne Bridge, who was popular; that Ashley seemed a bit petulant; but, more importantly, we were losing Gallas, who had been a brilliant player for Chelsea. It did not seem worth the hassle, particularly when Jose wouldn't let him cross the halfway line. There is no doubt however, that despite being a foraging full-back who will always make runs upfield if allowed, on a defensive basis Wayne Bridge wasn't fit to lace his boots. Ashley had the world's best wingers in his pocket every time, and Bridge, despite being popular, was never a good defender, and Jose wanted a good defender, so he got the best.

I think you're re-writing history somewhat and Davey Baby won't allow it. Having said that, I would agree that he took a bit of time to warm up, to get back to his best after leaving Arsenal, and then to exceed that level.

He was average at Arsenal and very few Chelsea fans were happy he was signed, and for a good two seasons after he came to Chelsea he was definitely no better than Wayne Bridge if not worse. Being the best English left back when your competition was Wayne Bridge and Jlloyd Samuel isn't exactly a highlight.

It wasn't until Scolari/Hiddink's season that we began to see what a top class player he was.

Average at Arsenal? No mate. Not sure which player you were watchng but Ashley Cole was one of the highest performers in their invincibles team which was, in fairness, a truly class side (recently voted best team in the Premiership years- I hate Arsenal as much as the next guy but can appreciate a good side when I see one).

Not sure what Chelsea fans you know but judging the player on merit alone (putting aside where he was coming from) I only remember the fans I know wanting us to sign him. I know I certainly did.

I might agree that he only started reproducing that top level form in the last few years at Chelsea however he was always solid and reliable at LB even if not outstanding.

Agree with Davey (this is happening far too often of late for my liking) and McLovin, not sure how anyone can claim Cole was average at Arsenal. The fact that we did so much to get him over any other Left Back around shows that he was anything but average surely.

Well if someone really earns it it's Ash. The club decides what is a lot and what is not.

If Petr came wanting 250k I'd grant him that. We'd lost 50mill last season alone without his heroics.

Isn't really that simple but if this another thread about greed I'll pass.