Can Joe Cole play himself back into the England squad?
Joe Cole makes his long awaited comeback to competitive action this evening when he starts for Chelsea against QPR in the Carling Cup. Cole has been out since rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments against Southend in January, and this will be the first opportunity he has to demonstrate he is worthy of a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Should Cole prove that he is back to full form and fitness, there should be little doubt that he will be in Fabio Capello’s 23 man squad. His international ability has been proven over the course of 53 caps, with the impact he can have on a game most clearly in evidence against Andorra last year when he came off the bench to score twice for an England side that was struggling for inspiration.
His impact as a creative substitute should not be undervalued. Barring injury or a drastic dip in form, Capello is likely to start with Gerrard, Lampard, Barry and a right winger in midfield. However, Cole can come on to play either on flank or in a central berth behind the strikers, a position he favours and in which he is expected to start this evening.
Cole does of course face one obvious obstacle in making his international return, which is that he first has to force his way into the Chelsea side. Given they have so far won all their matches this season, Carlo Ancelotti must surely be hesitant to tinker with the formula he has hit upon. £18 million signing Yuri Zhirkov is also returning from injury to add to the competition.
As Ray Wilkins has said though, Cole does offer that little bit of ‘fantasy’ and can make the difference. For that reason, it would be difficult for Capello to ignore him if he plays regularly for Chelsea this season and proves his injury has not diminished his abilities. However, that is a big ‘if’ and there is plenty of impressing for Cole to do, starting this evening at Stamford Bridge.
