Key defender to leave Chelsea?

It seems likely Jose Bosingwa could have to wave goodbye to a defensive colleague this summer as Ashley Cole could be on his way out of the Chelsea.

When both fit, Cole and the Portuguese international would fill the left and right-back slots respectively of the Chelsea defence.

However, it is looking like they may not line up together again, as by the time Bosingwa returns from the long term knee injury that has kept him out of action since October 2009, Cole could be playing for another team.

Cole had been linked with a move to Real Madrid ever since former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for the hotseat at the Bernabeau, but there are signs the Special One could be close to getting his man.

A £30 million deal with the La Liga giants had been mooted in the press, and this speculation is likely to increase as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has claimed it looks likely that Cole will be in Madrid for next season.

The club's Champions League odds suggest they are in with a good chance of tasting the glory which has eluded them in so long, and Cole could be a key man in their success.

Chelsea are likely to be determined to try and hold onto the 29-year-old England international, but it looks like Carlo Ancelotti could have to go into the transfer market for a new left back or rely on either Branislav Ivanovic or Yuri Zhirkov.

Casillas told The Sun: "From what I am hearing the signs look good. I have only briefly spoken to people at the club, but I am confident that he can be a Real Madrid player next year.

"I think it will be the right move for him both professionally and personally."

The football betting suggests Chelsea will challenge for the title again next season, but they can ill afford to lose one of their best players.

It remains to be seen whether he will be around to help Chelsea next season, and they start their campaign against West Brom on August 14th.