Ancelotti Retains Firm Grip on Cole
Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole, reported to be unsettled in London for personal reasons, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
But Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has now reinstated that the club has no intention to sell the defender in the current transfer window.
Following the English press' extensive coverage of Cole's recent divorce from his ex-wife Cheryl, the left-back is reported to be desperate to evade media attention by moving to a club outside of the UK.
England's disappointing World Cup performance, after which several players received heavy criticism from the press, became a further strain on Cole, who believes life as a footballer would be easier outside of the country.
Last week, the News of the World reported that Cole had a 20-minute discussion with Ancelotti on the Chelsea training ground, during which he expressed his desire to leave the club.
But Ancelotti appears determined to stop Cole's departure. At a press conference following his side's 2-1 defeat to German side Eintracht Frankfurt, the Italian said that Cole would "not be sold at any price."
"We believe he is the best left-back in the world and because of this he will stay at this club," Ancelotti added. "Nothing has changed in our position. Everyone can forget about Ashley Cole leaving this club.”
Cole joined Chelsea from the club's London rivals Arsenal in 2006. Arsenal received £5 million and Chelsea's French defender William Gallas as part of the deal.
Since then, Cole has made 106 league appearances for Chelsea, with six goals to his name.
He was brought to Stamford Bridge by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who had sought Cole's services long before the transfer took place.
Mourinho's proven admiration for the left-back has led to speculation that the Portuguese manager's new club Real Madrid is preparing an offer for Cole.
Real Madrid have been reported to be interested in signing Cole for a fee of around £25 million.
If the transfer goes through, Chelsea will have made significant profit on the player. But even the recent economic stringency of Chelsea's multi-billionaire owner Roman Abramovich would not be lured by a sale.
Cole is Chelsea's undisputed first-choice as left-back. Following Wayne Bridge's departure last summer, the club has no clear replacement in the position.
Getting rid of Cole would require Chelsea to shop for a new left-back before the end of the month. The new signing would have to adapt to a new team and possibly also a new league. That process takes time.
These circumstances have led Ancelotti and the club to categorically reject any approaches for the defender, regardless of how strong his ties are with Mourinho.
"I'm not interested in the relationship my player has with other coaches," Ancelotti said at the press conference.
Of course, Cole could make the situation unbearable for his club by venting his frustation in the press. This was Cole's chosen tactic before he left Arsenal for Chelsea, apparently over a wage dispute.
English Press the Issue - Not Money
With Cole currently earning £120,000 per week at Chelsea, money is not likely to form the cause of a potential move this time around. His discomfort in the media spotlight, however, could.
But it remains unclear whether a move to La Liga would make the situation any more bearable for Cole.
David Beckham, who moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2003, had no luck in avoiding the media's constant coverage of his private life following the move.
But Cole seems willing to give the move a try. If it materializes, it will be at a high cost for Chelsea. And Ancelotti will not let him go without a fight.
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