Chelsea want Cole stay

(GSM) – Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins says the club is desperate to keep Joe Cole. Speculation about Cole’s future has been mounting, with the English winger yet to agree an extension to his current contract that runs out in the summer.

The latest reports had said that Chelsea are not willing to meet his wage demands. However, Wilkins says both the club and the management group are desperate to keep Cole.

“We are desperate to keep Joe,” he said on Sky Sports News. “I know the club are and we as a management group are desperate to keep him.

“He is a very valuable asset to us, but it is a contractual situation that I am sure he and the club will sort out at some stage.

“We sincerely hope so. We would love to keep Joe and I am sure they will sort that out.”

Currently, Cole wants to find his best form in order to be included in the England squad after being left out for the Three Lions’ friendly fixture against Egypt. The former West Ham star has not played for his country since picking up a knee injury in 2009.

However, Wilkins has backed the 28-year-old to make Capello’s England squad for the World Cup. Wilkins says Cole will have plenty of chance to play for the Blues and show Capello his real worth before the end of the season.

Asked about Cole’s England chances, Wilkins said, “If he continues to work in the vein that he is working in training, and with the game time that he will get from here on in, then I see no reason why he shouldn’t.

“I think he would give England something slightly different. He can play both sides of the pitch, he can play in different formations, so he has got a very good chance.

“Fabio has said that he hasn’t been too impressed with Joe’s form over the past couple of months, that’s why he didn’t make the final 23 (against Egypt), but we are quite confident that Joe can get his form back and get into that squad.”