Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is exploring his options to cover for the suspended Branislav Ivanovic in Madrid on Tuesday evening and could over-look Ashley Cole for the Champions League semi-final first-leg, a move which could spell the end of his stay at Stamford Bridge.
After Ivanovic picked up his third booking in the rousing 2-0 victory over Paris Saint Germain, Mourinho was widely expected to field Cole at left-back with Azpilicueta believed to be on course to revert to his orginal right-back post, but the Portuguese boss is considering selecting David Luiz as cover at Atletico Madrid's Vincente Calderon stadium.
The bold move promises to confirm Cole's current status as surplus to requirements, with the England international deprived of adequate game-time this season in preference of the impressive Azpilicueta. Mourinho had previously stated the 33 year-old had a role to play under his stewardship, a claim echoed by Steve Holland on Friday, but such as snub would provide a bleak outlook for Cole's future in Chelsea blue.
The Blues are thought to be interested in Southampton's Luke Shaw, who would proft from the potential snub with regard to his place in Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad, but the England full-back could prefer a move to Manchester United with guarantees to his starting berth. Patrick Van Aanholt, one of many Chelsea loanees, currently at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, could be handed a prominent role next season with Sevilla's Alberto Moreno a viable option.