Ashley Cole Contract Stand-Off: Unfair Treatment?

Ashley Cole: Unfairly Treated?

Chelsea fans were in for a shock recently when various tabloids claimed that Ashley Cole was ready to leave Chelsea. The reason: the England international left-back, who has been a regular in Chelsea's starting XI since 2006, was offered a mere one-year contract extension to stay at the club.

According to a club insider: “Mr Abramovich has a rule that anyone over 30 can only be given a one-year extension but it’s madness in Ashley’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.” (these quotes can be found in various tabloids)

Chelsea's concerns are understandable. It can be suicidal to offer an aging player a long-term contract. The best example? Florent Malouda. He was offered a 4-year contract extension at the end of the 2008/09 season (he was 29 years old at the time), meaning that he will be a free agent in 2013. His decline as a Chelsea player has been almost unbelievable, & most fans still find it hard to believe that he was our best player in the 2009/10  season. He's still at the club as Chelsea were unable to sell him, meaning they must continue to pay his rather high wages until the end of this season.

However, it's a whole different situation in Ashley's case. He has been a consistent & reliable performer for us over the past few years & he doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Even at 31, he is easily the best left-back in the world & if he were to be available on a free come January, there would be no shortage of clubs who would want to sign him. And even though the club have an able replacement in Ryan Bertrand, it wouldn't do us any harm to let Ashley Cole see out the rest of his career at Chelsea.

So yes, I do feel that the club have been rather harsh on Ashley by offering him a one-year contract. He should be offered a better extension (2-3 years is ideal, if you ask me) & better wages. No one can say he doesn't deserve it.

#ShayneCFC

TweetFollow @CFC360Official