3069 replies to this topic

[John Campain]

I'm sure all supporters are as passionate about their clubs as we are. But, just for once, wouldn't it be great if both sets of fans at both games stood and cheered Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips as they took to the pitch.

They are mere mortals like the rest of us and IMO deserve all the support we can give after what they've had to endure.

[James Prescott]

Apparently (and yes it's a red top but anyway) Ashely Cole could be temepted to leave Arsenal at the end of the season as Real Madrid want him but apparently Chelsea are also interested. Remember what I said about Chelsea being rumoured to want another left-back? the plot thickens...

[1955cfc]

So CHELSEA are said to have held a meeting with ashley Cole in a secret meeting to discuss a move to CHELSEA.Well I know this is against the rules and CHELSEA aren't the only club doing it.But the question I would be asking if I was an arse fan would be is, what the hell was Cole doing there.

[WashingtonBlue]

Maybe it's because I'm from Washington and we are overly attuned to the language of denial, spin-doctoring and damage control in this city, but I actually find Chelsea's response to the Cole "news story" a bit disturbing. Now I am not saying I give it any credence, because I understand from other posts that it was a total rag that reported the meeting, but here are the things that concern me:

1. The silence from the club is a bit deafening. Maybe it's because the story more or less broke over the weekend, but they were quick to categorically deny the news about our record losses long before they were actually reported. Its been several "news cycles" and there is nothing on the official web site; no categorical denial that the meeting never happened.

2. JM's tongue in cheek comments about Adriano were only a denial that he was there. He never said no one from the club was there (at least not that I've read).

3. PK's comments on the radio the other day were a classic instance of what in Washington is called a "non-denial denial." He never came out and said "I never met with Ashley Cole; no one from Chelsea met with Ashley Cole." ("I did not have sexual relations with that woman"). I didn't hear the show, but this is what it was reported to have said:

"No, not at all," explained Kenyon to Radio Four's today programme, when asked if he was worried by the threat of action. "There was supposed to be another secret meeting with another Premiership club about another Premiership player so it's where do you stop with these things. But the rules of the game are quite clear so we're just getting on with our business."

All that says is he is not worried about an investigation because the rules of the game are quite clear. That could mean many things; it could mean that -- like Real talking to Viera or Arsenal talking to Fabregas -- Chelsea evaluated the situation and decided that there was nothing to worry about because even if found guilty after an investigation there would only be a fine, slap on the wrist, and no docked points. "We're just getting on with our business."

Now, I still don't believe the story because I think it would be stupid and pointless for us to approach Cole now. We are flying high with the team we have, team spirit is supposed to be one of our strengths and I can't believe JM wouldn't find it very disruptive to bring someone like Cole in now. But it's interesting that no one from Chelsea has said the exact words needed to deny this thing categorically.

[voodoo]

I wouldn't be surprised if we've agreed to take him after his contract at the Arse runs out in 2 years. It has been mentioned in other threads that Cole would be expensive to both purchase and maintain, so why would we splash out a fortune when we've just heard from the Club that spending will drop considerably (as well as wages) ?

Is this the reason why PK is confident that we cannot be fined/docked pts ?

[Dan Davies]

Thinking about the Ashley Cole tapping up saga, and the fact that Arsenal seem not to have pushed the FA to investigate it further, makes me wonder if they are actually trying to do a deal on the quiet.

Perhaps the only reason that they may wish to do it so is if Cole is part of a deal that takes Cudicini to Arsenal for next season? Jose’s said we need a left back, Arsenal self-evidently need a better ‘keeper, so maybe both sides are trying to negotiate privately and this explains their reluctance to make a complaint?

[Iceman]

Conflicting reports today. The Daily Star are quoted as saying that Ashley Cole was not at the alleged meeting! This "Cole tap up" story is starting to smell suspicially like fabrication to me !

[Dan Davies]

It’s all in the name!

Ashley Cole, is an anagram of

y l’o Chelsea (Why, Hello Chelsea!)

Ashley tapped us up, not the other way.

I’ll get me coat.

Dan.

[helen else]

They are at it again stirring trouble over Ashley Cole. We are either stupid or they are stirring. I'm calling for a boycott of this paper please do not buy it Chelsea fans, I'm definately not.

[Hugh Jars 99]

http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Stor..._344873,00.html

Now, perhaps I am guilty of reading too much into something that I know nothing about. Maybe its more that I am trying hard to make a rumour worth more than the paper its written on. But I came across this article this morning. It would appear that Peter Kenyon has moved to distance Chelsea Football Club from a potential triple transfer coup from Benfica. I think that the quote is 'there has been no talks between the clubs'. Now if that is the case and Kenyon has publically confirmed that, then doesn't that go against everything that he said regarding Ashley Cole? I listened to him on the Radio 5 Live interview where he said that he would continue with club policy and not either confirm or deny anything about Ashley Cole and the whole 'tapping' allegations.

Am I looking for conspiracy theories where there plainly isn't? Am I living in blind hope that the Ashley Cole rumours are more truthful than we are being led to believe? Personally, I would love to see Cole at Chelsea, but because of that maybe I am clutching at straws, looking for anything that might appease my more cynical mind....

What do you think? Do you think that the Ashely Cole rumours are true? I know its going back to a previous topic that has died down a little lately, both on here and in the media.

But perhaps thats because the transfer is near enough a done deal.....?

[PaulT]

According to the Guardian, and other papers today, we have admitted the meeting took place but claim it was instigated by Cole's agent. EG see http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/...1435969,00.html. Assuming we could substantiate this, how likely is it to reduce any punishment we may face? Like most, I expect, I'm still hoping for no deduction of points.

[Hilario Coimbra]

All this Ashley Cole business is getting a bit out of hand. But ignoring the actual happenings, if Cole were available to move to Chelsea on the summer transfer window, would you want him?

We obviously have Wayne Bridge who is also a fantastic player. Although Bridge didn't get much playtime at first, after Carvalho's injury he was playing regularly for us until his own injury. Wether or not JM woulda kept him at left-back when Carvalho got back or not is debatable.

Now, I think Ashley Cole is better than Wayne Bridge, but not by very much. If Cole came to Chelsea it would probably mean Bridge leaving.

So, with all that in mind, would you take Cole over last season's hero?

[Seb]

Ashley Cole has given in evidence that Mourinho arrived uninvited at a meeting between Cole and his agent. If this proves to be true, Mourinho has lied to the FA. Supposedly, Mourinho also told Cole that Gerrard would be moving to London in the summer. Liverpool have filed in their evidence. It's becoming increasing unlikely that Stevie would move to Chelsea now...and if he's going to move at all Spain or Italy might be the destination.

[Broughy]

Ridiculous really that they have appointed a board on the discussion, the FA originally stated that they were not going to investigate unless Arsenal made a formal complaint, did they, no they didn't. Anyway Cole is just in court with chelsea officials and a chance to organise a deal as an understudy of Wayne Bridge for next season. haha fools

[Founding Member]

Chelsea FC have been found guilty and charged by the commission investigating the Ashley Cole affair. Ashley Cole has also been charged for his part in the 'meeting'

Chelsea have been charged with breaking rule K3 - which governs approaches to players by clubs

Mourinho charged with breach of rule Q - which governs managers conduct

Ashley Cole charged with breach of ruke K5 - which governs approaches by players to clubs.

More to follow...