COLE ... first time as skipper
ASHLEY COLE was angry and embarrassed at being stripped of
the Chelsea captaincy after only an HOUR of Saturdays FA Cup clash
with QPR. Boss Avram Grant had made Cole skipper for the first
time. But with the Blues struggling to overcome their Championship
neighbours, Grant brought on Didier Drogba and ordered the England
full-back to hand over the armband.
Cole did so but looked bemused especially as Drogba has never
been skipper before either. Grant insisted he did it for the team.
He said pointedly: Drogba is a leader. Many players who are
leaders here did not play against QPR, so we gave it to
Ashley.
"I think he is a good example for all the others, always giving 100
per cent, always happy. I like Ashley, so he deserved to be
captain. But there are other options for leaders in the
team.
Cole would have expected to hand over the armband to John Terry or
Frank Lampard, as they are the elected captain and deputy. But this
latest decision could put strain on Coles relationship with
Grant.
