Strap in, folks, Ashley Cole may be returning to the Premier League!
After just four and a half months in Rome, the former Chelsea left-back might make a return to the league that made him as Crystal Palace plans an audacious swoop to take him on loan.
A new left-back tops the wish list of Palace manager Neil Warnock, who confirmed his interest in Cole on Wednesday. “I’d definitely have him [Cole],’ said Warnock to the Croydon Advertiser. “Absolutely, I’d have him tomorrow if I could.”
The only problem, says Warnock, “I don’t think it will happen - but I would have him, I think he is super.” Why the pessimism from Warnock? Money, for one. Cole currently earns up to $120,000 per week in Italy while Palace’s wage ceiling is about $60,000 per week. Second, Cole has given no indication that he’s interested in leaving Rome.
Not offered a new contract at the end of last spring at Chelsea, Cole moved on a free to Roma where he’s failed to make an impact featuring in only eight of 15 Serie A matches this season. Whether the Italian side are willing to part with the former England international remains to be seen but a loan deal is possible.
If Palace were, however, to finagle a deal for Cole’s services this would mark the second loan stint the left back has had at the club, back in 2000 he made 14 appearances on loan before moving to Arsenal.
