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LONDON. — Ashley Cole joined rival team-mates from Arsenal as the Gunners celebrated their Christmas party on Wednesday night – despite Chelsea scrapping their own festive bash.
Sportsmail understands that former Arsenal defender Cole, who is believed to have been joined by team-mates Ryan Bertrand and Andre Schurrle, joined the Gunners squad at trendy London nightspot Libertine just 24 hours after crashing out of the Capital One Cup to Sunderland.
The Chelsea players took the decision to postpone their own Christmas party, which was also due to take place on Wednesday night.
Nevertheless, the trio decided to hit the town along with their London rivals – who were in fancy dress.
Coincidentally, Chelsea face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, in a clash that could see Mourinho’s side move top of the league. The trio are unlikely to face any club sanctions given they are permitted to be out three nights before a fixture.
The players hope to organise a festive party early next year. Mourinho is unhappy with the squad he inherited and the word is out that Chelsea are looking for a striker in January.
Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have failed to respond to his demands and between them have scored just five league goals. Not good enough. Chelsea have been scouring the continent, but there is a premium on strikers with Champions League experience.
Hulk has been watched at Zenit St Petersburg in recent weeks, but Chelsea’s record with players signed from Russia has not been good.
Eto’o (Anzhi Makhachkala), Yuri Zhirkov and Jiri Jarosik (CSKA Moscow), Alexi Smertin (who arrived from Bordeaux) and Maniche (Dynamo Moscow) struggled to make an impact.
Diego Costa, who has come to prominence in Atletico Madrid’s emerging team, is another option but he will be expensive.
The winter break in European football’s top leagues raises the question of fitness. The last round of matches in La Liga is this weekend and then Costa and the rest of the players in Spain will be recharging their batteries until January 4. Back at the Chelsea training ground, Mourinho has outstanding issues with some players.
For one, Eden Hazard is first off the training pitches and first to get away after lunch.
There is disbelief that a player with so much ability should choose to lead his professional life this way.
Then there is Cole, who has been deposed as the club’s first-choice left back after a disagreement. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter