Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo remains optimistic that left-back Ashley Cole will put pen to paper on a new contract before the transfer window reopens in January, Sky Sports reports.
The Blues’ first-choice left-back bagged the match-winning goal, his first goal in over two years for Chelsea, against Stoke City on Saturday, keeping Roberto Di Matteo’s at the top of the English Premier League table.
“I’m very optimistic that it will be dealt with before that,” said Di Matteo following the Blues’ 1-0 win against Stoke.
“He has become a legend – he is now Chelsea through and through.
“But I wouldn’t say it’s just happened recently. He’s been here many years and has contributed a lot to this club.”
Chelsea have tallied 13 points in their first five league matches of the 2012-13 campaign, and currently hold a one-point advantage over Manchester United in the league table.
The Blues will play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, 25 September, before traveling to north London to clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.
Capital One Cup Betting Odds | Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea (1/4) v Wolves (10/1); Draw (5/1)
Total Goals | Over 2.5 (19/40) | Under 2.5 (8/5)
Guidetti signs City extension
Manchester City starlet John Guidetti has agreed to terms on a long-term deal with the Premier League champions, Sky Sports understands.
The 20-year-old Sweden international striker spent last season on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord Rotterdam, where he tallied an eye-opening 20 goals in 23 appearances for De club aan de Maas.
The potential heir apparent to fellow Swede Zlatan Ibrahimović had two years remaining on his deal before agreeing to a long-term extension.
At the moment, Guidetti is training hard to regain full fitness after contracting an unspecified illness during the latter stages of last season.
Due to his lack of fitness, the 20-year-old forward was not able to go out on loan at the beginning of the season, but that does not rule out a potential loan spell in January, with a bevy of sides surely willing to take on the Swede’s weekly wages.
City travel to Craven Cottage to take on in-form Fulham at the weekend, with the Cottagers having earned a 2-2 draw against the would-be league champions in this fixture last season.
Don’t be surprised if Martin Jol’s side pull off another shocking result against the defending Premier League champions.
Premier League Betting Odds | Fulham v Manchester City
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