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Wilkins confident Cole will stay
13:45, Mar 5 2010
Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins insists Joe Cole will remain at the club despite reports of a rift between the England midfielder and owner Roman Abramovich.
It has been suggested that Cole and his representatives have infuriated the Russian with their hard line stance over wages during contract negotiations with the midfielder's contract set to expire this summer.
But Wilkins remains confident that Cole's contract situation will eventually be resolved, and said: "We are desperate to keep Joe. I know the club are and we as a management group feel the same. He is a very valuable asset to us."
He added: "It is a contractual situation that he and the club I am sure will sort out at a later stage.
"We sincerely hope he will be here next season. We would love to keep Joe. I am sure he and the club will sort it out.
"I would not have thought his form has been affected by the contract situation. I just think he has had a long lay off, something like 10 months, and it is never easy to come back.
"He was outstanding in the Carling Cup against Queens Park Rangers and then you find, when you have had a long lay off, that your form does drop.
"Joe has just had a dip in form. He has shown in certain games, when he has played, a lot more of that good form. He has got to get a little bit more consistency back and then there will not be a problem with him.
"I have spoken to Joe on numerous occasions. He is upbeat about his future here. He loves Chelsea. He wants to stay at Chelsea and I am sure that the club and his people will sort the situation out."
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