Dietmar Hamann Urges Liverpool to Sign Ashley Cole

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole should be a summer target for Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, according to former midfielder Dietmar Hamann.

Cole is out of contract with the Blues and is still to agree a new deal following a season during which he has played second fiddle to Cesar Azpilicueta.

The 33 year old announced his international retirement on Monday after being overlooked by Roy Hodgson for selection in England's squad for the World Cup finals but Hamann believes the out-of-contract Chelsea left-back still has plenty to offer to either Liverpool or Tottenham.

"Cole hasn't played a lot of football this season but I watched him against Liverpool and against Atletico Madrid and he was absolutely outstanding," he told talkSPORT.

"The guy has still got it. If I was Liverpool or Tottenham I would do my utmost to get him for a year or two because he has that left in him and he's still a top, top player."

Both Liverpool and Tottenham have been linked with a move for Cole, who paid an emotional farewell to Chelsea supporters both during his final home game against Norwich City and the last match of the season at Cardiff City – during which he captained the side.

Frank Lampard is also out of contract this summer and while he is yet to agree a deal, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not expected Cole to spark an exodus.

"I don't know but I don't think so," he said. "He wasn't captain to say goodbye in a nice way, he was the player on the pitch who has been here longest. He arrived before Ivanovic so we gave him the armband as a consequence of that, not because it was his last minutes."

Since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006, Cole has enjoyed eight trophy-laden years in west London, winning the Premier League title once, four FA Cups, the League Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.