Carlton Cole makes unexpected England stepup

08 February 2009 21:39
Cole's career has been nomadic; a striker with undoubted talent trying to settle. Chelsea saw promise but Croydon-born forward made only 25 league appearances in five years, scoring four goals. Cole was loaned out to try to provoke a reaction, but spells at Wolves, Charlton and Villa failed to trigger his career, with a modest return of eight league goals in 55 games.[LNB]His poor return continued for two seasons. And then came Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke, familiar faces and men prepared to give Cole a cuddle. Prior to their arrival as manager and assistant in September, Cole had managed one more goal in the league, but all that has changed now.[LNB]An impressive return of six goals in seven games, from December into January, signalled Cole's arrival at the age of 25, and Capello will not have been disappointed. Cole suggested that he can offer England more than the likes of Chris Powell, David Nugent and Jimmy Bullard, all surprise selections and all off the international radar as quickly as they arrived.[LNB]Cole soon displayed his new-found confidence yesterday, holding off Rio Ferdinand before trying to beat Edwin van der Sar. Cole continued to impress with his determination and fortitude, and Capello will have left satisfied that the striker might just have a place on the international stage.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Telegraph