Chelsea tell Drogba and Cole to wait for new contracts

Chelsea won't start contract talks with Didier Drogba and Joe Cole until next year, according to chief executive Peter Kenyon.

While Frank Lampard agreed a five-year deal on Wednesday after lengthy discussions, Drogba and Cole have two years left on their current contracts and the club's policy is to concentrate on football rather than negotiations when the season gets started.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba has recently pledged to stay at Stamford Bridge after close-season speculation that he wanted to leave, so Chelsea are in no rush to tie up a new deal.

“Both those contracts and discussions have been put on the shelf,” Kenyon said. “The season is starting and those will be re-visited next year.”