TheSportsCampus

Chelsea lost star striker Didier Drogba last summer owing to the club’s policy of offering players over 30 only year-long contracts. Now the Blues appear set to lose the experienced duo of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole next summer as they stick to their questionable system, reported the Sun.

A Chelsea insider was quoted as saying, “Frank and Ashley are still very important to Chelsea but if they stay it will only be on the club’s terms. Didier held out for more than one year last season and was given a take-it-or-leave-it offer. The owner has made it clear the same will apply to Frank and Ashley.”

The players can approach other clubs in January and there will be no shortage of takers should they leave Stamford Bridge as free agents next summer. PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti could be planning a reunion with left-back Cole at Parc des Princes. Real Madrid and Zenit St Petersburg have also been linked with a move for the 31 year-old defender next summer.

Meanwhile, rumours suggest that Chinese clubs Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan are planning a bumper £250,000-a-week package for Lampard if he quits Chelsea. The 34 year-old could consider the opportunity to reunite with former teammates Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba at Shanghai, while David Beckham’s MLS side LA Galaxy also said to be considering a move for the Englishman.

Chelsea fans are distraught at the thought of losing more experienced stars. However, Owner Roman Abramovich is unlikely to change his stance on the contract system, almost ensuring the departure of the two senior players next summer.