Kick uo the backside: Joe Cole could do better says
Chelsea boss
It is almost a year since Joe Cole ruptured cruciate
knee ligaments at Southend and Carlo Ancelotti chose to mark the
anniversary with a kick up the backside for his gifted midfielder
yesterday.
Asked to assess Cole's form, Ancelotti was brutally frank. 'He
could do better,' said the Italian. 'He has some very important
appointments this year. The World Cup is important. To play well
for Chelsea is important. The World Cup is a good motivation
because Capello will look at his performances.'
Fabio Capello has not selected Cole for an England
squad since his return in September after nine months out. Time is
running out and Cole admits his form has blown hot and cold since
injury.
In an exclusive Sportsmail interview last month, he confessed to
feeling under pressure to be Chelsea's best player and their
creative force in his new role at the tip of a midfield
diamond.
'He has a good mental attitude and he is in good physical
condition,' said Ancelotti. 'But it is confidence.'
Cole is 28 and out of contract at the end of the season. Were he
so inclined, he could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign
club today and leave on a lucrative free transfer in the summer.
There would be no shortage of takers for a player of his talent,
even if his form is patchy.
Chelsea have played a dangerous game with him. John Terry,
Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, John Mikel Obi and Alex
have all extended their contracts this season. Talks with Cole's
agents were opened in the summer of 2008 but pushed back and then
put on hold when he was injured.
The club and Cole insist there is no cause for alarm.
Negotiations are back on and Ancelotti expects the midfielder,
signed for £6.6million from West Ham in 2003, to extend his career
at Stamford Bridge into next season.
'Joe wants to stay and we want to keep him. He is an important
player, not only for the squad but for the fans,' said
Ancelotti.