TheSportsCampus

Roberto Di Matteo has finally spoken about the growing speculation surrounding the future of John Terry and Ashley Cole, rubbishing the rumours that the veteran defenders were close to ending their long association with Chelsea. Cole’s contract expires at the end of the season and with the 31 year old yet to sign an extension; Chelsea could lose him for free. Terry’s case is more complicated as the club have seemingly moved to censure their captain for his racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand by not offering him a new contract when his deal expires in 2014.

The power hierarchy at Stamford Bridge has always bypassed the manager and Di Matteo admitted that he was clueless about Cole’s situation as he told the press: “I think there are ongoing negotiations with the club. It's something he discusses directly with the club. I would like him to stay here, yes. It's something they have to sort out, two parties: player and club. But my wish is for him to stay here.”

The Italian was more forceful with regards to Terry though, dismissing the outlandish rumours in this week’s tabloids which claimed that the Englishman would be heading to Valencia. "There's nothing to that. I don't know who put that speculation, those rumours about. It's nonsense. It doesn't need to be discussed because it's completely untrue. He's got this season and another season It's premature.”

Roman Abramovich has shown in the past that he holds little emotion towards the iconic players who have turned out for the Blues as Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba were all let go when their contract came to end. Frank Lampard is also in the same pool as Terry and Cole, with the midfielder in fact seeing much less game time owing to Chelsea’s summer splurge. Di Matteo might have intended the statements to spur his players ahead of the Manchester United clash, but the chances are the future of the players are most likely decided by the men in suits upstairs.