• Premier League

Cole stalls contract talks

ESPNsoccernet staff
May 17, 2010
Joe Cole's Chelsea contract ends in June © Getty Images
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Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole will hold no further discussions over a new deal with Chelsea while he concentrates on the World Cup with England.

Cole is part of Fabio Capello's preliminary 30-man squad for the tournament in South Africa, but it is far from certain he will make the cut for the final 23 after starting just 14 Premier League games this season with a further 12 appearances from the bench.

The midfielder will hope to impress Capello in England's two warm-up games, against Mexico on May 24 and Japan on May 30. And he wants nothing to distract him from that as the England squad gathers on Wednesday.

The news is sure to fuel speculation that Cole does not see his future at Stamford Bridge after initial contract talks broke down in January. There will be no shortage of suitors for his services, with both Manchester clubs and Tottenham Hotspur believed to be tracking him.

Cole, whose contract expires during the quarter-final stages of the World Cup and will be available for no fee, is keen to keep his options open.

"My focus is on the World Cup now," Cole told Sky Sports News. "It is important my mind is focused on that. I have got an opportunity to go to South Africa and I want to go there, I want to play and that's where my full focus and attention is going to be.

"I am going away with England on Wednesday so I will spend time with my family and my 100% focus is going to the World Cup and trying to help England win that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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