Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand has urged teammate Ashley Cole to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Bertrand, who is reportedly seen as the long-term replacement for Cole, believes that the England international has proved his importance to the Champions League winners.
"Yes, I want Ashley to stay," Bertrand told the Evening Standard. "He has been a fantastic servant for the club and he rightly deserves what he is asking for. It doesn't affect me and my game [if he stays] because I am getting plenty of chances to play.
"I have learnt a lot from him and the longer he stays the more I will continue to learn.
"I probably could have a bit of banter with him about me taking his place in the team because we have a really good relationship but we're more than happy playing together and to leave it as it is."
Cole's current deal expires at the end of this season.
Callum Mulvihill
