Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that both Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were offered new contracts by the club.
Both players left Stamford Bridge and the Premier League this summer, ending 13-year and eight-year stints with the London club respectively.
While fellow Blues veteran John Terry was happy to extend his contract by one year, both Lampard and Cole decided they needed new challenges, something Mourinho agreed with.
"They were [offered new deals]," Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Metro. "We were in this process until the end, but you arrive into a moment [where you ask] what's the best for the team? What's the best for the other players? What's the best for them?
"And it depends also on their mentality. Lampard and Ashley, they will be until the last day players to compete, to play every game, to be involved.
"I think they are happier – in spite of their love for Chelsea – in this new situation for them. The best way for competitive people like them to be happy, to enjoy the last part of their career, is to go and play."
Cole's chosen destination was Roma, while Lampard decided to make the move to the MLS with New York City, though the latter has been linked with a short loan move back to the Premier League with Manchester City.
Phil Archbold
