An age old problem with no answer

By Alan Hansen BBC Sport football expert

Chelsea's alleged meeting with Ashley Cole last week is very difficult to comment upon simply because it is impossible to know for sure what really happened.

Everybody knows tapping up goes on and it is not a new thing Arsenal suspect Chelsea

Tapping up players has happened since day one so it would not be a surprise but it is extremely difficult to do anything about it.

If it is true then the consequences should be serious but how do you clamp down? Do you fine them? That is no use.

If you dock them points you have to be 100% certain the meeting has happened and have conclusive proof it was arranged and that the relevant people did not just bump into each other.

There is a whole minefield of problems.

If the meeting did happen it will do nothing to help relations between the two clubs.

It involves such a high-profile player from a high-profile team going to a major London rival, that it will be interesting to see how the whole thing pans out.

But what you often find is that next week there will be another story breaking that diverts attention away. We will have to wait and see.

Agents themselves are always on the phone to managers and this would not be an isolated incident.

I think you just have to accept that it happens - everybody knows it goes on and it is not a new thing. Clubs, agents, managers do it.

I don't expect the story to affect Wayne Bridge, who is the current left-back at Chelsea.

Chelsea are at the top of the Premiership and winning just about every game, they have spent a lot of money and have more to spend.

Inevitably, every day when you pick up the paper they are going to be linked with different players.

There is always endless speculation about who Chelsea are going to buy next and as a player you just get used to it.

In a way a player being linked with your position can help to keep you fresh.

If you think somebody might come in to take your place you might try a bit harder.