Roberto Di Matteo is hopeful of Ashley Cole agreeing to a new contract, after Chelsea announced that David Luiz had signed a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Cole's current contract will expire at the end of the season, with both parties failing to come to an agreement yet on a new deal. The left-back, who scored the winner for Chelsea in Saturday's English Premier League game against Stoke City, has been with the club since his acrimonious move from Arsenal in 2006.
If a consensus is not reached, Cole will be free to talk to clubs outside England and come to a pre-contract agreement. However, Di Matteo is confident of working out a new contract before January. "I'm very optimistic that it will be dealt with before that (January)," Di Matteo told reporters. "He has become a legend -- he is now Chelsea through and through.
"But I wouldn't say it's just happened recently. He's been here many years and has contributed a lot to this club.
"He's a fantastic pro, which I'm not sure whether you know.
"Somebody that's the first one out in training, one of the first into the building with JT (John Terry), trains every day like a professional, reliable, somebody that you could go to war with.
"And he's a very quiet guy as well. He's very private about his own stuff. He's one of the best left-backs in the world."
Meanwhile, Brazilian international Luiz signed a new five year contract. The central defender was linked with a few big clubs in the summer, with Barcelona and Manchester City reportedly enquiring about his services. However, Di Matteo has squashed those rumors, saying Luiz was a big part of Chelsea's future, and now that claim has been cemented with the 25-year-old committing to the Chelsea cause.
"I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea," Luiz told the club's official website. "It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here.
"I want to play for a long time at the top level -- which is what playing for Chelsea means. I love everything about the club and especially the fans, who have made me very welcome and given me great support."