Champions League winners Chelsea are likely to face a crisis next summer if the latest transfer rumours are to be believed. It is reported that Chelsea's key players - defender Ashley Cole and midfielder Frank Lampard - could leave the club after failing to agree the terms of a new contract.
Cole, 31, and Lampard, 34, may fall victims to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's dictate of extending contract by just a year to players who have crossed 30 years of age, and Didier Drogba had earlier quit the club after being offered with a year contract extention in spite of helping his team win the Champions League.
Both the players are in the final season of their contract with Chelsea and are free to join the team of their choice in January 2013.
It is reported that Chelsea has offered one-year contract extention to Cole but he is not in the mood to sign it. Lampard is also unlikely to accept one-year extention.
Cole is "preparing to speak with foreign clubs, including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, in January" as he is not willing to sign one-year extension offer, reported Daily Mail.
It was earlier reported that Chinese clubs Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan are ready to pay £1 million a month to Lampard. Interestingly, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba joined Shanghai Shenhua after refusing to sign one-year contract with the Champions League winners.
Coach Roberto Di Matteo will face problem in the defense and midfield if Cole and Lampard if they decide to leave Chelsea as they are among the best in the world in their positions.
