Source: FOOTYMAD
Joe's World Cup dream is over
He ponders move from SW6 Joe Cole’s World Cup dream is all but over.There is bound to be a lump in his throat as he watches John Terry and Frank Lampard don the white of England tomorrow evening at Wembley.It is England’s final game at home before the real action starts in South Africa in the summer.England’s coach Fabio Capello has said that Cole is not the player he was but maybe in two months time he might be.That might provide Cole with some hope of a late call-up but I won’t be putting any money on it and if he is not a first-team regular for Chelsea there is not a hope in hell of him making the World Cup squad.But reading between the lines, Capello has already decided that Joe is surplus to his requirements.The fall from grace of England’s most talented midfielder has been extraordinary.He has long recovered from his injury of last seasonHis main problem is not fitness but Carlo Ancelotti.And there must be serious doubts as to Chelsea’s intentions of renewing his contract which ends in July.Cole demanded showdown talks with Ancelotti before Christmas as he was unhappy at not being played often enough..At that time he was playing second fiddle to Deco in the Chelsea midfield.Assistant coach Ray Wilkins attempted to smooth the waters by telling Cole was still part of the plans, but he has still to convince the Italian of a regular slot in the side.When Cole has started he rarely finishes a game. That has made the former West Ham favourite more anxious each time he is called upon.His game is affected and he’s then taken off - it’s a cycle that Cole cannot see ending at SW6.Under Jose Mourinho, Cole was always under the spotlight. Many times Mourinho would be critical of the midfielder - but the crucial difference is that Mourinho did something about it on the training ground.He worked Cole’s talent for the betterment of the team and he flourished as did the team.Under Ancelotti, Cole has gone backwards and nothing is happening to suggest the slide can be halted.Deco has suggested that he wants to leave Chelsea in the summer.That might prompt Cole into rethinking a move away from Chelsea.It might, but like Cole’s chances of World Cup glory - ie zero, I won’t be betting on it.
