Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and England winger Joe Cole will not get their contracts extended at Chelsea this year, according to chief executive of the club, Peter Kenyon.
Both players, who have been instrumental in the team’s success in recent times, have two years each to stay at the club.
Drogba, the striker who has wasted most of this summer ‘ thinking ‘ whether or not to stay at Stamford Bridge, had recently made his mind to stay.
He missed Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia followed by an off-season tournament in Russia.
According to club officials, the striker will not be getting fresh contracts before next year.
Like Drogba, attacking winger Joe Cole has also been kept away from a new contract, at least for now.
Both Drogba and Cole were not as lucky as Frank Lampard, who has got a considerable rise in wages from his extension. The midfielder, who decided to stay with the Blues after continuous pursuit by Inter Milan, is expected to earn more than 150,000 pounds per week.
Chelsea, this season, has been working extra time to generate a good squad, and have made a brace of high profile signings in Portuguese internationals Jose Bosingwa and Deco.
According to Kenyon, both Drogba and Cole will get a chance for their respective extensions only after this year.
He has insisted that Chelsea is not becoming inactive in the transfer window, with a few possible signings, which include a hopeful one of Robinho from Real Madrid.
