Benitez says Cole, Lampard may leave Chelsea

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP) New Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has indicated that Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard could be allowed to leave the club at the end of the season.

The veteran players are in the final seasons of their contracts and have not agreed extensions.

Asked if they would be leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer, Benitez said: "I think that's the case at the moment."

Benitez added that because his contract only runs until the end of the season "I don't have all the information."

The 34-year-old Lampard joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2001 and is the club's third all-time leading goal scorer with 189.

The 31-year-old Cole has been at Chelsea since a contentious move from Arsenal in 2006.

Updated November 24, 2012