London: Jose Mourinho is considering a loan deal for Fabio Coentrao in January, a move that would cast further doubt on Ashley Cole’s future.
Cole has been struggling with a rib injury for two months and that has limited his game, says Mourinho.
The England left back, who has 106 caps, has lost his place in the Chelsea team to right back Cesar Azpilicueta and was warned by Roy Hodgson he was no longer regarded as an automatic starter for his country.
Mourinho has been looking at his options and is a big admirer of Coentrao, who has rarely played for Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti and almost joined Manchester United on loan in August.
Chelsea would look for an option to sign Coentrao, 25, permanently after six months if he takes to English football. His salary is well within the London club’s pay structure and he has the same agent as Mourinho, Jorge Mendes.
A loan deal would give Chelsea time to compete for longer-term targets such as
Southampton’s Luke Shaw, 18, and Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno, 21. But Chelsea are not alone in liking Shaw, who would command a big fee.
Mourinho has not been convinced by Ryan Bertrand, 24, who has played only once in the league this season. He was overlooked when the manager decided to try the right-footed Azpilicueta on the left.
Cole will be 33 next month and out of contract at the end of the season. A one-year extension will depend on his form and full fitness.
He has started only six games for club and country since injuring his rib at Tottenham in September and was forced off in two of them, for Chelsea at Norwich last month and for England against Germany last week.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is pursuing Barcelona full back Martin Montoya in January after Jose Enrique was ruled out for up to 10 weeks by knee surgery.
Spain Under 21 defender Montoya is right-sided but can play on the left. He is out of contract in the summer and has played seven times for Barcelona this season.
Ian Ayre, Liverpool’s managing director, was in Barcelona for meetings yesterday.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has no fears about losing left back Leighton Baines.
The England full back, a subject of intense interest from Manchester United this summer, will be out for up to six weeks after fracturing a bone in his right foot.
United are continuing to look for a left back, but Martinez said: ‘I’m not worried about speculation. What is important is can we control the situation, in terms of, “Do we have to sell to balance the books?” But we are in a position, probably one of the strongest we have had for many years, where we can make pure football decisions on any player. It makes me happy about the situation.’
