Cole aims to maintain form

Blues ace delighted with 'blinding start' since returning from injury

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cole aims to maintain form

Cole: Impressing in favoured position

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Joe Cole is delighted with his 'blinding start' to life at Chelsea since his long lay-off with a knee injury and aims to continue to impress Carlo Ancelotti.

The 28-year-old scored his first goal for 13 months when he netted the fourth and final strike in a 4-0 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The attacking midfielder was left out by England manager Fabio Capello for the recent friendly with Brazil despite some stand-out performances for the Blues since returning from a knee injury towards the end of September.

The former West Ham star finds himself vying for a spot at the head of Ancelotti's diamond with Deco, a position he considers to be his best, and Cole is hoping he can continue his good form with the World Cup looming in the summer.

"I think the main focus is to perform wherever you are playing," he said.

"Good players can play in several positions and I found that I had the ability to play right, left or centre and that's because I can do a broad range of things for the team - cross the ball, pass it through the middle, beat a man.

Versatile

"Because of these things I have tended to get moved around a little bit. But now I've got back in the centre, which is more natural to me, I'm hoping to cement that place and make it my own.

"I've had a blinding start. I just try and play well in every game and let the manager take care of who starts matches.

"I just need to carry on going and keep playing well. I've had a blinding start and I feel well. It is hard being injured, there are lots of things you miss but what can you do?

"It is part and parcel with being a player. Life isn't plain sailing and you go through peaks and troughs, but you miss playing football when you can't that's for sure.

"I don't think I am far away from being back to my old self, which is good, and I've just got to keep myself level-headed about everything."