Chelsea Veterans: Should Mourinho Get Rid Of The Ageing Spine Of His Squad?

Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard have been the backbone of Chelsea for around the last decade, the three players have featured regularly for Mourinho in both spells as Chelsea manager.

The Telegraph are reporting Roman Abramovich is going to allow Jose Mourinho complete control over the contract renewals of these three Chelsea old boys. So here’s a break down of each player and whether I believe they should be offered new terms at the West London club.

Frank Lampard

When Mourinho rejoined in the summer I believe that was the best bit of news Frank Lampard could have received - there were times last season where Lampard was bench-ridden and looked odds on for a Chelsea exit at the end of the season.

Mourinho has put faith in Lampard many times this season and that faith has been repaid, Lampard has been a regular starter and has conjured up 5 goals from midfield so far this season.

The impending arrival of Matic will be putting pressure on the central midfield players for a place but I still believe Lampard is worth new terms; he scores important goals and is still a great option to have.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole has been benched at times this season, which must come as a shock to a player who has been ever present since arriving from Arsenal. I still feel Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the country and Chelsea should certainly be looking to offer a new deal of some sort to Cole.

Although Cole has recently been restored to the team, if he finds himself on the bench more regularly it may not be a case of whether Mourinho will offer him a deal, more so whether Cole will re-sign it himself.

John Terry

John Terry like Lampard, appears to be thriving playing under Mourinho once more. Terry has started 28 times this season and has been ever present in helping Chelsea be in touching distance of the top of the table.

Although the Chelsea talisman is 33-years-old, I still believe he has a couple more years in him and a player with as much passion as JT, is an asset for any team and must rub off on the players around him.