Ancelotti persuaded Cole to stay at Chelsea

LONDON - Ashley Cole revealed early Tuesday that only the intervention of Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti prevented him from leaving the Premier League in the summer.

The Chelsea manager persuaded him not to seek a move to link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, despite problems in his personal life.

“There was a time, in my head, when I thought I needed to leave England,” Cole told Sky Sports News.

“But I sat down with the manager and he made it clear that I was not going anywhere so it was the end of the story.”

The 29-year-old is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2013.

“I have got three years left and if I am fit and well I hope to see out

my contract here, and hopefully win some more trophies as well,” he

said.

Despite Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, Chelsea head into Wednesday’s west London derby with Fulham top of the table.

“It is lucky for us that after a defeat we are still at top, and that is where you want to finish at the end of the season,” Cole said.

“It is still in our hands to keep winning games and keep pushing on, and Wednesday’s a big test for us to get back on track.”