Joe Cole set to revive Chelsea

The match against Blackburn showed just what Chelsea have been missing during all these months Joe Cole was out with injury as the diminutive midfielder was in sparkling form despite starting his first game after eight months. It seems the player fits perfectly in Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-4-2 diamond formation and he definitely provides a new dimension to Blues’ midfield. Cole is determined to get the best out of this season as he intends to return to the England squad but now Chelsea officials need to act since his contract expires at the end of the season. If the Blues are to have a successful season, they will need a happy Joe Cole and they should extend his contract as soon as possible.

Joe Cole was seen as one of the hottest prospects in England after coming through the youth ranks at West Ham but he struggled to fulfill his potential after signing for his childhood club Chelsea. During his time at Stamford Bridge he was mostly played out of position and that is certainly one of the reasons for somewhat under-par performances, while the other was numerous injury problems. Cole became a first team regular in the national team, where he was also played on the wing and he never really became an influential player for England. A knee injury saw him miss the finish of last and the start of the current season but his performance against Blackburn (Chelsea-Blackburn highlights) proved there was more to come from the diminutive midfielder.

For the first time after quite a while, Cole was used in the hole behind two strikers and we could easily see this is a position that suits him the best. His mazy runs and intelligent flick-ons caused Blackburn defence all sort of problems and inspired Chelsea to a marvelous performance. Even usually cold Ancelotti couldn’t help but calling him ‘a genius’. And all this after his first start in eight months. If Joe Cole keeps on playing like this, not only will he earn a starting berth in the national team but he will also be an influential figure in Chelsea’s hunt for trophies.

Former West Ham man has got more than enough time to persuade Fabio Capello to take him to South Africa but he will then have a difficult task to earn a starting berth. England are playing conventional 4-4-2 formation with two wingers, places currently occupied by Gerrard and Lennon, and there seems to be no place for Joe Cole as he obviously cannot give his best playing on the wing. He could be employed as a second striker behind Wayne Rooney and that position would probably suit him well, but I am not so sure Rooney would be very convincing as the tip of the attack. Joe Cole has the quality to force Capello into changing the formation just to accommodate him, especially if he keeps playing at the highest level. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Joe Cole at the World Cup.

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