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Tottenham's slim hopes of signing Joe Cole this summer have ended with the news that the England international is close to agreeing a new four-year deal to stay at Chelsea.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who gave Cole his professional breakthrough at West Ham when he was in charge at Upton Park, had been optimistic that he could lure him to White Hart Lane.
The 27-year-old has been keen to commit his long-term future to Chelsea for some time, but was told he would have to wait until this summer for talks over a new contract, even though his current deal runs out in 2010.
A knee injury sustained in January ended his season four months early and meant he had no more chances to prove himself to the hierarchy.
Redknapp was believed to be monitoring the situation, but Chelsea want him to stay and Cole is willing to do so.
Talks are already under way over the four-year contract and the club is confident an agreement will be found soon.
The England international has impressed the club with his hard work over the summer to recover from the knee injury and he is making swift progress.
He has participated in pre-season training with the rest of the squad this week and is expected to be taken on the club's tour to the USA next week, although it is still unlikely that he will be fully fit for the first game of the season.
Meanwhile, manager Carlo Ancelotti will get his first chance to have face-to-face talks with captain John Terry today, but his future is understood to be not on the agenda.
Manchester City are still looking to sign the 28-year-old and are set to make a fresh £40million bid this week.
But Chelsea continue to be relaxed about the situation and it is understood the discussions between manager and captain will purely focus on the season ahead, as well as giving them a proper chance to get to know each other.
One defender who is certain not to leave is England Under-21 international Michael Mancienne - despite Wolves and Reading wanting to take him on loan.
Chelsea see Mancienne, who went on to make six appearances last season after finally making his debut, as having a bigger role in the squad next term.
There is still a strong possibility Ricardo Carvalho will leave the club and Mancienne will be promoted to fourth-choice centre half behind Terry, Alex and Branislav Ivanovic.
Surprisingly, midfielder Deco claims he is prepared to stay after seeing Inter Milan withdraw their interest.
Deco complained that last season was the worst of his career and was desperate to join Inter, but the Italian side insist they can't afford him.
The 31-year-old says he may now stay at Chelsea for another two years and said: "I am getting tired of Europe, but out of respect for Chelsea, I will stay on this continent a while longer.
"I have some offers from other clubs, but if I stay at Chelsea it's important that some things change because things happened last year that I did not like.
"I have had some adaptation problems in England and I've been sidelined with several injuries.
Striker Andriy Shevchenko looks certain to go and his advisors have been in talks with Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Reader views (14)
chelsea is indeed a class to beat next season and a joe cole would always want to be part of the metarmophosis of new-chelsea,it's an experience that worth him commiting his future on.i wish him an injury free season.Cheers!
- Segun (Mcfish), Vanlose ,copehagen
Drogba should be displine because we dont want to see what happens in the champion league final against man u and semi final against barca.looks like his indispline always cost our victory.
- Balarabe Garba, Lagos,nigeria
Up Chelsea ya! All the coach got to do is for him to get a good striker that is despirate to score goals.... Take old legs away frm the team...
- Okpidama Eguono, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.
I think your spot on again Paxton. Rob Hotspur of South London (Woolich, no doubt), is a Gooner all day long mate.
- Coys, North London
Paxton - still making silly comments! Just because I am a realistic Tottenham fan, whose predictions are generally correct. I just happen to live in South London these days. Still a member of the 'Ministry of the not too bright' ?
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
Is ok for deco an shv to go. An freak ribiry should be chelsea main target. I ll be disappointed if i don see ribiry wearin the blue and white this season.
- Nafeal, Portharcourt. Nigeria
The only thing missing form a world class player like a Joe Cole is physical stregnth. If he wants to be compared to Ronalo or a Kaka's of this world, he has to work out with weights seriously
- Zwedw, Arlington Va. US
Did we truly think a crass act like Rob Hotspurs of South London was a Spurs Fan, of course not, Gooner in disguise! And still a member of, the Ministry of the bleedin obvious.
- Paxton, N17
So we will be keeping Joe Cole at last, what a good move!
- Frank Bilauri, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
dam... would be a better left mid than downing lol... joe cole ould shine incredibly at spurs
- Dave Tucker, spain
Did we truly think a class act like Joe Cole would go to a second rate team with 'Harry' in charge! From Champions League to Carling cup!
We should stick to picking up cast offs from the likes of Wigan & Blackburn
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
Deco,carvalho,shevchenco shd go if they lyke they are old players.we need middle age world class player 2 win silverware next season.We dont really need them.we only need 1 sharp,experience and world class striker like Torres,Tevez,sam Eto'o,zlantan Ibramovich or Andrei Pato or even Pirlo.notin more.
- Bigbrother, Lagos-Nigeria
its gud that john obl has got a new dael!sing villa then we are done.chelsea a life
- A.Ka Kapumpa, lusaka.zambia
When did Spurs make a "Bid" for Joe Cole? How much did they offer?
- Chris Somers, Enfield England
