Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants Ashley Cole to boost his side's Champions League hopes when the defender quits Chelsea this summer, according to the Daily Star. Cole has confirmed he will leave Chelsea this summer, telling his one million Twitter followers: "I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent".
"Sadly, it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them."
And now, Liverpool are poised to swoop for the former Arsenal defender, who is also being tracked by Real Madrid, Monaco and a number of MLS sides. Rodgers however hopes the offer of more Champions League football and being part of a young and exciting squad will convince the veteran to stay in England next season. The Liverpool chief knows his squad is thin on the ground when it comes to Champions League experience, and could be stretched as the Reds look to fight on the domestic and European front. Cole could be tempted by a move to Anfield having spent a frustrating season in west London during Jose Mourinho's second reign as manager. He started just 15 Premier League games for the Blues last season, and found himself playing second fiddle to César Azpilicueta. Cole was also left out of England manager Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad and earlier this month announced his retirement from the international scene after earning 107 caps for his country.
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.
