The future of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for the England national team has been highly speculated following the emergence of capable replacements in the last few months. Due to their age and concerns about longevity, it has been speculated that manager Roy Hodgson may consider leaving them out for the World Cup 2014.

However, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that his Chelsea players should be part of the plane to Brazil since he feels that the old-timers will offer a lot to the squad. Lampard and Cole were a major part of the squad that won qualification to the World Cup.

However, they are likely to be replaced by Jack Wilshere and Luke Shaw respectively. Mourinho has accepted that he will not be making the call whether Lampard and Cole will be part of the squad, but he says that he could at least tell Hodgson about the need to have the duo, who have a combined age of just under 70.

Ashley Cole has not been a regular for Chelsea this season, but the same cannot be said of Lampard, who still continues to have a major influence in Chelsea’s season. Apart from a couple of matches, he has played in every league match so far.
Hodgson recently stated that he is aware that a couple of big names could miss out on the plane to Brazil.

“It’s not my decision. But I try to be pragmatic, so if one day I am the national team manager of any country, I think the players that take me to the Euros or to the World Cup are the players I’m going to take to the Euros or the World Cup. They took me, by qualifying; after that, I take them on my plane,” said the Chelsea boss about the England squad for the World Cup.