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Carlo Ancelotti has reassured Chelsea fans the club is determined to secure Ashley Cole and Joe Cole on long-term contracts.
Both Coles are yet to sign new deals despite having opened negotiations earlier in the summer and the failure to sort out their futures before the start of the season is in stark contrast to Chelsea's success persuading Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, John Obi Mikel, Michael Mancienne and John Terry to pen new deals.
Ashley Cole has only two years left on his contract and was expected to get a pay-rise to just over £100,000-a-week but it is believed he has been looking for a salary closer to that of Michael Ballack, who is on £130,000-a-week.
The need to reach an agreement with Joe Cole is even more pressing as he will be able to leave on a free transfer next year.
But Ancelotti remains unconcerned and said: "I don't know what is happening because it's not my problem to speak with a player about his contract. I am hopeful they will stay with us and this is the same opinion of the club."
Meanwhile, chairman Bruce Buck has confirmed chief executive Peter Kenyon will have a major role to play at the club for years to come.
There has been speculation regarding Kenyon's position since owner Roman Abramovich chose to sack former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari while his chief executive was on holiday in February.
With Danish director of football Frank Arnessen seeing his influence at the club increase in recent years, it had been reported that Kenyon's future was in doubt but Buck said: "It is unfair, I think. We love Peter, he is a great guy and does a great job. He is our chief executive for the long-term."
Chelsea take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tonight with Ancelotti considering making some changes to the team that beat Hull on Saturday.
He has no fresh injury worries, but could decide to bring in Branislav Ivanovic for Jose Bosingwa and drop Mikel to the substitutes bench.
