By Football Talk.
Chelsea have confirmed to Sky Sports News that midfielder Joe Cole will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month. Cole is currently out in South Africa with the England World Cup squad preparing for this summers tournament, but it’s now certain he won’t be returning to Chelsea. A club statement read:
Joe will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the summer.
It brings to an end Joe’s seven year stay at Stamford Bridge and we would like to thank him for his dedicated years of service and wish him well in his future career.
So with Chelsea now confirmed as being out of the race for Cole’s signature, the question is now who will snap up the hottest free-transfer this summer? Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been linked with Cole in recent weeks. Reports suggest that he would prefer to remain in London, putting Arsenal and Spurs in pole position but a good World Cup could lead to interest from across Europe.
Where will Joe Cole be playing next season?
The 25-year-old enjoyed a fine season for Bayern, helping lead the club to a German league and cup Double.
The Bundesliga club’s bid for a historic Treble was halted in the Champions League final, where they were defeated 2-0 by Inter Milan.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is looking to add some talented young stars to his squad and Schweinsteiger could replace countryman Michael Ballack, who is set to leave Stamford Bridge with his contract running out this month, according to The Daily Star.
The Blues have begun talks with Schweinsteiger’s representatives and are ready to offer a £4m-a-year deal to the midfielder, but the Germany vice-captain is only concerned with his duties in South Africa this summer.
“Right now I’m focusing solely on the World Cup,” Schweinsteiger said.
“All the rest doesn’t interest me.”
Schweinsteiger, who can play as a winger or a central midfielder, is under contract at Bayern until 2012.
