Cole will be highest paid defender in the world after agreeing £200,000-a-week contract extension with Chelsea



Ashley Cole has become the highest paid defender in world football after negotiating a one-year contract worth just under £200,000 a week.

Chelsea expect to announce the contract extension ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea, but the deal has been agreed.

Chelsea have agreed to a pay hike for the England defender, 32, because it would have cost them well in excess of £15million to secure a replacement left back of similar quality in the summer.

Top earner: Ashley Cole will earn just under £200,000-a-week with his one-year contract extension at Chelsea, making him the highest paid defender in the world

Cole’s representatives had held tentative talks with Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Manchester United, but Chelsea eventually caved in to the left back’s demands.

It has also emerged that Chelsea were determined to lift supporters’ spirits by making a major announcement after their depressing form at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez.

Chelsea originally claimed Cole would be leaving at the end of the season and were clearing out the dressing room in anticipation of Pep Guardiola’s arrival.

But the failure of Ryan Bertrand to progress this season convinced Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to authorise the extension.

Small change: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, seen here with girlfriend Dasha Zhukova at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, was left with little choice but to retain Cole given the lack of other left-back options



