Cole hopeful over new contract

Joe Cole hopes to sign a new contract with Chelsea during the next three weeks before the World Cup gets under way.

Cole insisted he was “not far away” from agreeing a new long-term deal.

The England midfielder has 12 months remaining of the four-year contract he signed when he moved from West Ham to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2003.

Cole has emerged as a key performer for the Blues under Jose Mourinho after initially struggling to hold down a regular first team spot and played a key part in them retaining the Barclays Premiership title.

But he wants to secure his future before heading for Germany with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England squad to avoid any off-the-field distractions.

Steven Gerrard has admitted he was affected by the speculation over his future with Liverpool during Euro 2004 – and a possible move to Chelsea – before eventually signing a long-term deal with the Reds.

Cole is keen to avoid such distractions and said: “There is no way I want to leave Chelsea.

“The contract talks are going well. I’ve talked to (chief executive) Peter Kenyon and I believe we want the same things.

“It’s not about money. That part of the contract is done but there are still a few things to be sorted out. We’re not far away though and I’m hoping we can get everything sorted out before the World Cup so there are no distractions before what is one of the most important times in my career so far.”

Cole, currently with England at their training camp in Portugal, is relishing the challenges of the World Cup after being only a fringe player in Japan four years ago.

He said: “Four years is a long time and a lot has happened since then. I have suffered a relegation with West Ham and two championships with Chelsea plus reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“I come into this World Cup thinking there is not a lot that is going to surprise me on the pitch. I am very experienced but also still young and I am looking forward to it.”