Mourinho hints at new deals for veterans

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says the club are remaining “calm” about new contracts for Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard as he indicated that the trio may be given fresh one-year deals. 

Cole, Terry and Lampard are all long-standing members of the Blues squad, having been at the club during Mourinho’s first stint at Stamford Bridge, between 2004 and 2007. 

All three of the players’ contracts are due to expire at the end of the season, however, Mourinho believes there is no reason to start panicking just yet. 

“What has to come will come naturally,” Mourinho said of contracts for the trio. “We don’t need to be involved in discussions publicly. Everything comes naturally. 

“The players want to stay if they are playing and feel useful, if they feel important in the team. The respect the club has for them is more than obvious. No pressure. 

“We will do in the end the best thing for the club and the best thing for the players. The best thing is a result of communication, of changing ideas and feelings, but it will come naturally. 

“It’s different to last season, when John and Frank weren’t playing. You could guess lots of things. At this moment it’s all very calm. They trust us, we trust them. It’s not about making a contract desperately tomorrow or next week. Very calm. No stories.”