Mourinho plays down Cole saga

Chelsea head into another tricky away fixture, this time at Blackburn, with the saga of Ashley
Cole's proposed transfer from Arsenal likely to drag on into next week.

After the defeat at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, Chelsea will not want the distraction of more transfer speculation and manager Jose Mourinho has sought to play down the importance of landing long-term target Cole.

New capture Khalid Boulahrouz could provide cover for revitalised Wayne Bridge and if William Gallas makes his peace with the Chelsea chief then the failure to land Cole would be of little consequence.

Mourinho said: "I have Bridge, who is playing very well. I don't have another pure left-back but there are some solutions in the squad to give us cover for that position.

"I don't know what the situation is but if, on August 31 (transfer deadline day), we cannot get Cole then it is not a drama."

Negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea have reached an impasse with neither wishing to lose face over any deal.

Arsenal have also made a bid for Chelsea's unsettled central defender Gallas who is currently out of favour with Mourinho after failing to appear for their pre-season training camp in
America.

From : BBC