I honestly thought he'd flouish in the No10 tip-of-the-diamond position, it was as though he was born the play there. I know he's recovering from injury (Gernam Blue may disagree after reading a few of his posts) but what has happened since his return. Has he become the step-over, trick-pony Jose tried to cut out of him? Does he just need a run of games?

On current form he could well be watching the England games this summer at home with his new wife!

He has 1/2 a season to redeem himself with Mr Capello!

Edited December 29, 200916 yr by BLUENUT

Lets face it, bar a few moments, he has been disappointing since returning from his long lay off. He'll be more disappointed than anyone that he has not made more of an impact.

But as I said elsewhere, he has come back from a bad injury. An injury that would have been career ending going back just a decade or so ago. And a lot is expected of him. He can't come back and play himself in with little short passes here and there like a Mikel or Ballack can. he's expected to turn games by beating players or opening up defences.

I still have my doubts that he'll fully recover his old form. But there are signs that he is improving- he was involved in the build up on both goals yesterday. He's a player who needs to see a lot of the ball - he's always capable of beating a player and turning a game.

On that basis I think he'll be at the World Cup.

Its been nearly 3 months now since his return. It shouldn't take a player that long to get back in the groove. Look how quickly Essien settled back into the team last season for instance. But if he is still feeling the effects of the lay off and does need more time to get match fit he should not be starting games for us.

Joe played fantastically well in his first two games back (which might well have been adrenalin) and so i dont think that helps his case but since then he has been poor at best and currently shouldn't even be considered a first XI player. He has been so bad im even crying out for Deco to start.

He still divides opinion like no other player. Look at the threads about the game yesterday - some say he was MOM, others (me included) think he was shocking.

I hope it all works out for him, he loves the club its so obvious to see but we cannot look to sentiment to lead us through this patch and right now he shouldnt be playing.

I'm surprised he hasn't taken the bull by the horns and made the slot his own, but at times I wonder if he is fit, he appears absolutely shagged after running 20 yards, hands on hips panting like Mick the Miller.

Perhaps we need a new fitness coach

I honestly thought he'd flouish in the No10 tip-of-the-diamond position, it was as though he was born the play there. I know he's recovering from injury (Gernam Blue may disagree after reading a few of his posts) but what has happened since his return. Has he become the step-over, trick-pony Jose tried to cut out of him? Does he just need a run of games?

On current form he could well be watching the England games this summer at home with his new wife!

He has 1/2 a season to redeem himself with Mr Capello!

Of course he came back from injury and after 9 months it isnt easy but that excuse can be used for one month maybe. Some people still say that he is not playing well because of that injury. And thats something that I cant agree with. Hes played 20 matches since his return and he´s in training for about 4 months already. As I said before, if you cant get fit in 4 (!!) months, you will never ever get fit.

Especially because Joe Cole doesnt really need a perfect fitness to play his style. Just remember how fast Essien got back, and his style really demands a perfect fitness.

Edited December 29, 200916 yr by german-blue

He has been really poor hasn't he?

some might remember that I always felt he was better wide drifting in than playing behind the strikers... I don't think he moves off the ball into the right sort of positions or passes well enough (often enough) to play it.

despite that I don't think it's conclusive yet that he can't offer anything there... it's worrying that he still looks a little unfit, but you have to remember essien is a naturally amazing athlete, and joe is not, and never was. also I think this is his second major injury since 05/06 (his last quality season IMO) and I am starting to wonder if he can ever get back to that level of consistent form and fitness.

I think Joe is actually not doing as bad as people think. He's not quite become the trick pony Jose tried to knock out of him, because against Fulham and notably against Arsenal he was working his backside off in defense. Let's also remember that Joe while wanting to play in the number 10 role, has been played as an out and out winger for several years now. He' still making the transition back into the middle of the park and into essentially a free role. I think we saw a bit of growing confidence yesterday in the fact that he appeared several times in wider areas dropping out of the middle, where he had essentially anchored himself in earlier games. We all know Joe has been inconsistant over his entire career, but we also know when he works out what he's doing in there he can be devestating. I hope he finds his form and keeps Deco on the bench where he belongs.

Joe Cole is not the answer to the tip of the diamond. He is a winger and unproductive when playing through the middle. Carlo has exausted practically every option in attempting to find a player to fill that position e.g. Deco, Lampard, Malouda and Joe Cole. They all have failed miserably. When at Milan, Ancelotti used Kaka to great effect in that position.

Since he came back Joe has performed very poorly and I don't accept the excuse that he is still not fully fit. As a matter of fact I believe his game has deteriorated significantly since Mourinho left.

with any luck, he'll leave

We can't really use the 'he's still not fully recovered from injury' excuse any longer. He's only started five games, but look at the likes of Rosicky. He came back after twice the layoff (/coke addiction) Joey had, and got two assists on his debut. Perhaps we should start using him from the bench more?

Joe Cole is not the answer to the tip of the diamond. He is a winger and unproductive when playing through the middle. Carlo has exausted practically every option in attempting to find a player to fill that position e.g. Deco, Lampard, Malouda and Joe Cole. They all have failed miserably. When at Milan, Ancelotti used Kaka to great effect in that position.

Since he came back Joe has performed very poorly and I don't accept the excuse that he is still not fully fit. As a matter of fact I believe his game has deteriorated significantly since Mourinho left.

I also think his game as deteoriated since Jose left, there seems to be no end-product. He has had a couple of serious injuries to deal with, but has been back a while now and hasn't secured a place in the side and his performances have been indifferent or at best inconsistant.

I'll have to disagree about him being a winger though, a winger for me is someone who can beat their defender and get to the by-line, and Joe has never had the pace to do this. For me he's a typical No10 someone who pops up in places and creates something, but there are to many step-overs creeping back into his game, and in a side with Mikel and Ballack our build up play is too slow.

I think Milner and Young at Villa are ahead of him for England selection and with limited midfield places I'm not sure where Joe would fit into Capello's plans on current form. He'd be nailed on first choice if he showed any sort of form between now and then, but currently there are quite a few ahead of him.

with any luck, he'll leave

A bit harsh. There's no way Chelsea will sell him and it's unlikely he'll leave unless his completely frozen out of the first team. I've been a far harsher critic of Joe than most here over the years and have generally been of the opinion he is overated, however I do beleive he has a role to play here, just one as an impact player rather than a starter.

Problem with Joe is his decision making and unfortunately it's probably too late in his career to fix it now, Jose tried and was semi successfull but not enough to change him permanently.

One think of note though to those who say Joe hasn't been the same since Jose left, I agree but he did however win Chelsea's player of the year award the year before

last (under Grant). Whether he deserved to win or not is of course a matter of opinion.

Edited December 31, 200916 yr by Guest

Qaz

I am 99% sure Bluebeard meant Deco.

Qaz

I am 99% sure Bluebeard meant Deco.

I'm 100% sure he was being sarcastic

Jose got the best out of Joey , CA obviously cant .

Jose got the best out of Joey , CA obviously cant .

bit unfair that. CA has only had JC following a long lay off after a very serious injury.

Joe had some great games under Mourinho (he's also had plenty since) He also had some bad ones and was on the very verge of leaving under Mourinho.

Read an interview with him recently when he was talkking about CA and also playing for Capello and he made a big point about how good it is to play under a coach who has himself played at a decent level. A definite dig at the special one.

far better player than zola and won u a couple of premierships but hey ho hes english lets slate him.

good luck in the world cup we out him, u aint gotta a chance u mugs. lol but essien is great because he drives forward and u wonder why u get to quarters, ffs.has chelsea won owt since essien came lol.

cappello is a mug i will be proved correct again than you

far better player than zola and won u a couple of premierships but hey ho hes english lets slate him.

The fact that he's English(or the amount of trophies he's won) has nothing to do with it. He is nowhere even remotely close to the class that Zola was in his prime and I'm sad to say that he quite probably never will be. I'm afraid Joe Cole is already past his prime...

all about opinions maskimov and at least mine hold trophies, so ere at least mine have some substance.

instead off towing the sky sports line week in week out

Far better than Zola?

How was New year at the Cole household Mumma C?

You do know that Phil Neville has a lot of trophies don't you - do we statrt hnmouring him as one of England's finest ever full backs?

Joe Cole has been very disappointing since coming back fro his injury. He looks lost at the tip of the diamond and runs around like a headless chicken. He moves the ball too slowly and his shooting is abysmal. Ancelotti admits Joe's performances have been disappointing and attributes it to lack of confidence. I believe Carlo is being diplomatic and it's a warning that if Joe doesn't show improvement he will be warming the bench more often than not. Harry Redknapp is interested in signing Joe but I would hate to see him leave for White Hart Lane.

far better player than zola and won u a couple of premierships but hey ho hes english lets slate him.

good luck in the world cup we out him, u aint gotta a chance u mugs. lol but essien is great because he drives forward and u wonder why u get to quarters, ffs.has chelsea won owt since essien came lol.

cappello is a mug i will be proved correct again than you

what on earth are you on? better than zola in what way? the only mug here is you you numpty.

far better player than zola and won u a couple of premierships but hey ho hes english lets slate him.

good luck in the world cup we out him, u aint gotta a chance u mugs. lol but essien is great because he drives forward and u wonder why u get to quarters, ffs.has chelsea won owt since essien came lol.

cappello is a mug i will be proved correct again than you

what on earth are you on? better than zola in what way? the only mug here is you you numpty.

You mean you could read and understand what this Sophie person wrote?? I'm impressed!

far better player than zola

you're talking about joe cole right? please tell me i've missed something because otherwise that is one of the most ridiculous things i've ever read, anywhere.