Chelsea could find themselves in the market for a new left-back in January as questions persist over the long-term future of Ashley Cole. The 32-year-old, who joined the Blues from Arsenal in 2006, is set to be out of contract at the end of the season and his long-term future is yet to be set in stone. Cesar Azpilicueta has been preferred over Cole at left-back in recent weeks, while the England international hasn't played a game in over a month. And, just yesterday, former Three Lions star Stuart Pearce said he believes Cole has a fight on his hands to displace Everton's Leighton Baines and make it to the World Cup finals as part of Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad next summer. 33 later this month, Cole cannot go on forever, and Chelsea's recent defensive problems - they have conceded six times in their last two Premier League games - are perhaps indicative of the fact they still have no natural successor to the veteran. However, with a January transfer window looming on the horizon, there is an opportunity for Jose Mourinho to consolidate at fullback, and here, we take a look at 5 Left Backs Who Could Replace Ashley Cole. Click "Next" to get started.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
