Why forgotten man Joe Cole could be the answer for all of Chelsea's - and England's - problems

By Steve Stammers

Published 06:02 09/12/09

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As he warmed up along the touchline of the City of Manchester stadium, Joe Cole looked a forlorn figure.

The December rain lashed down to make it a miserable evening in the North West and the mood in the Chelsea camp was made worse by a Manchester City team who looked vibrant, hungry and oozing with determination.

The Premier League leaders trailed 2-1 and the scenario called out for Cole. This was the perfect time for him to weave his magic.

He remained ignored by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Yes, Cole can be infuriating at times. Occasionally he is wasteful and maybe a touch too individual.

But if Chelsea are to succeed this season and England are to flourish at the end of it in the World Cup finals in South Africa, then Joe Cole has a major part to play.

He is, without question, one of the most gifted players of his generation. No doubt about that. Over the years, he has also added a team mentality to his natural flair.

He is the type of player that opponents detest because of his unpredictability. He is strong and mentally tough.

He has had to live with the wonder boy reputation since he burst into the West Ham team as a teenager and he has not crumbled. Indeed, he has grown.

He is impossible to pin down – one minute on the left, the next a second striker, the next part of a midfield diamond.

He can score goals and he can make goals and when he reaches a head of steam, he wriggles clear of challenges in the most tight of spaces.

True, he has been a victim of injuries over the last ten months. But he is fit enough now and, according to his captain for club and country John Terry, he is raring to go, to be unleashed.

By all accounts, he was an absolute nightmare during recuperation and yearned to be on the playing fields at the Cobham training ground rather than in the treatment room or the gym.

In short, he lives for football. And it shows.

It is a mystery who Ancelotti did not use him last Saturday. Cole could have been the key to a comeback that would have brought at least a draw.

In terms of physical commitment, Cole is well ahead of Deco – the Portuguese still flatters to deceive. Cole is a different character. Rain or shine, hot or cold, he wants to be out on the field and in the thick of the action.

That enthusiasm has been noted by England manager Fabio Capello. Now all Cole needs is for Capello’s compatriot at Chelsea to follow suit.

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