Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is hoping that the Blues don’t lose Willian, Pedro and Olivier Giroud on free transfers this summer.

All three players are out of contract at the end of the season and Cole is hoping that the experienced stars stick around and help the development of the younger players in the squad:

“Giroud, Willian and Pedro are three top-class players who have been really massive for the club, particularly Willian, who’s a club legend, the players and the fans love him. I hope they can hang onto that experience – if they want to be part of this new, exciting team that they’re building.”

“If they can accept that role where they’re coming in – that they might not play as much as they used to but they’re helping blood an era which could be as good as any era in the club’s history – then there’s a role to play for all of them. I think they’re all world-class players and it would be tough for any club to replace those three.”

At this moment in time, it is unlikely that any of the three will stay. Willian has reached an impasse in negotiations with the Blues after asking for a three-year contract extension.

Pedro has not completing closed the door to staying at Stamford Bridge but a return to Spain is looking likely. There had been reports that Chelsea may well offer Olivier Giroud a new contract following his return to the starting line up in the past few games.

However, the veteran striker has revealed he was thwarted in his attempts to leave in January, and a switch to Italy in the summer seems the most likely outcome.