Tottenam boss, Harry Redknapp has stated his desire to sign Joe Cole for Tottenham. As the chase for 28-year-old Cole continues, Redknapp told Soccernet: "I managed Joe before [at West Ham], and I signed him when he was 11. We have always had a good relationship. I know what makes Joe tick and it's his love of the game, and his need to be playing it. That is what I am offering him."

Redknapp added: "I would like Joe here with me, but it is now up to the club and up to Joe Cole, his agent and his dad, and our chairman. He is talking to them to try to do a deal. If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe's mind."

Joe Cole has praised John Terry by labeling him the best defender in the world. The Chelsea winger Cole said: "You can't knock John Terry. He is the best centre-half in the world and some of the blocks and the tackles were brilliant.

"He has played with three different partners and is the heartbeat of the side. He is an exceptional player.

"We've got so many good leaders in the team and it was a great performance from him. I've never been involved in such a tense game and I have played in a Champions League Final and FA Cup Finals.

"There was a lot of nervous energy out there. I am happy I did what I did when I came on.

"I got hold of the ball and slowed the game down and managed to limit their passing," the 28-year-old added.

Arsenal have inquired about the possibilty of signing Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The playmaker has also apparently been courted by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur who, like current club Chelsea, have been dissauaded from offering Cole a deal by his reported £120,000-a-week wage demands.

But the Gunners are still interested, according to the report, as are Manchester United.

Cole, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of June, is expected to hold further talks this week with potential suitors.

Play your part in the Fans World Cup! All you need to do is Like your chosen team, and help them win their group by having the most fans!

To support England you need to like England Fans and then check for updates on the England Fans website. (To support a different team click here).

Joe Cole has admitted his future at Chelsea is still uncertain, but sent a message to both the Blues and any potential employers by claiming his next four years are going to be the best of his career.

The former West Ham United star is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with moves to the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United in the past.

The midfield fulcrum's priority remains staying with Chelsea though, and he says he's getting ready for his peak footballing years after returning from injury this season.

“I can’t wait to see what happens with the contract talks but I just need to keep on playing well,” he said to The Sunday Mirror.

“My best years are going to be my next four years. I don’t rely on pace, I keep myself fit and look after myself, so these next few years will be my best.”

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is absolutely certain that midfielder Joe Cole will be at the club next season.

Cole has failed to hold down a regular starting berth since returning from a serious knee injury and his contract is due to expire this summer. The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United after talks over a new deal stalled.

But when Ancelotti was asked to rate the chances of Cole being a Chelsea player next season, he replied "100%" - if thats right then it's almost worth sports betting on!

Reports have suggested Cole and his representatives have angered Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with their hard-line stance over wages during contract negotiations.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has come out apologising to fellow team-mate Joe Cole, as he took the spot kick during the 5-0 win over Blackburn Rovers despite Cole wanting to have a go.

The west London club were awarded a penalty in the game yesterday after the referee pointed to the spot, owing to a challenge from Ryan Nelsen on Didier Drogba. The penalty was reminiscent of Tottenham Hotspur's against Liverpool last week.

"I just want to say sorry to 'Coley' [Joe Cole] because he fancied the penalty as he has been out a while," Lampard said on the club's official website.

"It wasn't me being selfish, I just wanted to finish off the game, and for me he was different class on the day."

He added: "'Coley' was unbelievable with this being his second start and his first Premier League start.

"I think everybody knows what he brings us, it is something different as he runs with the ball, he can create something out of nothing and he showed that having been out as long as he has been."

Chelsea have insisted Joe Cole is not for sale after Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur were linked with a bid for the midfielder.

Reports had claimed Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who gave Cole his first-team debut at West Ham a decade ago, was planning a £10million offer for the England international.

However, Chelsea have warned off any clubs interested in the 27-year-old by confirming they will not be listening to offers.

A statement from Chelsea read: "Contrary to media reports Chelsea is not, and will not be, considering any offers for Joe Cole.

"Our sole focus, as is Joe's, is to complete his rehab and get him fit as soon as possible so that he can play a major part in the new season."

Cole is currently working his way back to fitness after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Southend United in the FA Cup in January.

Chelsea attacking midfielder Joe Cole has been following a rehabilitation program due to suffering a complex injury sustained during January last season, and new Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has offered assurances that the Tottenham Hotspur target still has a future at the club.

Furthermore, the two-time Champions League winning coach indicated that Cole's game style is one that he admires, and that there is plenty of room for him in his desired 4-4-2 diamond formation.

"I like football so know everything about Joe," Ancelotti informed The Sun.

Regarding the attributes that have ear-marked Cole as a fine player in Ancelotti's mind, the 50-year-old trophy magnet said, "He's perfect to play behind the strikers and has the maturity.

"He's very good at playing in a small space and is a good dribbler.

"I will wait until he's recovered from injury and then try him," he concluded.

Earlier reports revealed that Cole was on a shortlist of transfer candidates drawn up by fellow London club Tottenham Hotspur.

Cole has made 236 appearances in Chelsea's first-team, and has scored 38 goals in all competitions.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is hoping that before the Blues add to their squad, they secure the future of Joe Cole.

Lampard believes the best move his club could make would be signing up his team-mate on a long-term contract.

Cole has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur as he seeks guaranteed first-team football ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa. The sports betting markets suggest that Cole may be moving on.

However, Lampard told The London Evening Standard: "It will be great if he follows all the others and signs a new contract. It's for Joe and the club to sort out but he is part of the furniture now.

"It is very important that the club keep the affiliation with the English players, the fans relate to us. We have become a core of the club and Joe's a member of that."

27-year-old Cole is currently recuperating from injury but 'Lamps' cannot wait for his return. He added: "Joe coming back will be like a new signing for us. He has been out since January and that is a long time to be without someone of his talent. He is looking to be back in the next few weeks.

"Joe has been a big miss for England, as well as Chelsea. Before he had his injury he was playing fantastically."