Ancelotti's diamond won't be Joe Cole's best friend at Chelsea

29 July 2009 08:12
Carlo Ancelotti's midfield diamond seems to be here to stay but it leaves a big question mark over Joe Cole's future at Chelsea. Manager Ancelotti insists Cole is a player he admires and someone capable of slotting into his preferred formation on either the left or right, or behind the strikers. But the England midfielder has been out injured since January, missed the intensive pre-season work on the new system and, not for the first time since joining from West Ham, faces a fight for his place. Ancelotti said: 'I like football, so I know everything about Joe Cole. He is perfect to play behind the strikers, the same position as Frank Lampard, for example. 'He can also play on the left or the right and, when he's well, I want to try this. He is very good at playing in a small space and is a good dribbler. I will wait until he's recovered from injury and then try him.' Cole is still three weeks away from action after more knee surgery last month. His contract runs out next year and talks on a new one have been delayed by Chelsea's US tour. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who nurtured Cole at West Ham, will watch events unfold with interest. Joe Cole Cole, 27, insists he has no desire to leave Chelsea and is keen to sign a new deal. He has faced similar situations before and forced his way back into the reckoning, most notably when he converted himself into a hard-working left winger to win a place in Jose Mourinho's line-up. Realistically though, he is not going to oust Lampard from the tip of the diamond, the natural place for his undoubted talents. Ancelotti has decided this is the best place to use Lampard's tireless running and goal touch and has given him considerably more game time in pre-season than others to get used to the role. 'Lampard is very good behind the strikers,' said Ancelotti. 'He moves well without the ball and works hard defensively.' Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi and Michael Ballack, when he resumes training after a toe injury, will compete for the positions at the diamond's base and on the right, and rumours are rife in Milan that Chelsea are moving for Andrea Pirlo. Milan coach Leonardo last night denied knowledge of any mooted deal involving £8.6million, plus Claudio Pizarro and Michael Mancienne on a year's loan. Franck Ribery remains another big-money Chelsea target, which cannot help Cole's prospects, while on the left, a position he once made his own for club and country, the England man faces stiff competition from £18m new boy Yuri Zhirkov and the reborn Florent Malouda.

Source: Daily_Mail