Chelsea fans are looking up from their pints here in the Football Transfer Tavern as the Daily Star claims that the Blues could well be looking to keep Ashley Cole past the summer.

The England international is currently spending a rather long spell on the sidelines and has seen Cesar Azpilicueta take his place in the side.

Cole has tweeted about the situation and made a joke about fans not getting too used to him being on the field, and we had thought it could be the beginning of the end for Cole.

That does not seem to be the case with Jose Mourinho’s latest comments however, as the Special One has come out and defended Cole – who has also seen his England place come under threat.

According to the Chelsea manager, there should be no doubt over who takes the left back spot come the World Cup in Brazil, with Mourinho claiming Cole is the best of the bunch.

“I think the national team manager knows in every country who are the best players, the ones he can trust.” Mourinho claimed.

“Ashley is playing well. Okay, he is not playing every game but he is playing well.

“And I think that is just what Roy Hodgson wants to know.”