Cole: Lack of luxuries is key to success
Midfielder Joe Cole has revealed the secret of the Chelsea’s success so far this season – the lack of any “luxury” players.
The club have instead built their progress under Jose Mourinho on a committed team ethic with a high work-rate, defending in numbers and hitting opponents quickly on the break.
Out have gone the likes of Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo, even if the Argentina striker could ironically line up against Chelsea in the Champions League final for AC Milan, as well as Adrian Mutu.
In have come hard-working players such as Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Tiago.
Indeed, Mourinho has largely avoided star names in building a team which has blended well together with no big egos.
Cole insisted it was that selfless attitude which served Chelsea well in defeating Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final encounter.
“We knew it was going to be tough against Bayern and we had to get through a lot of running and working for each other, but it showed a lot of character from everyone,” he said.
“We all attack together and we all defend together. That’s one of the secrets of our success – there are no luxury players. We all fight and work hard together.”
Chelsea now face Liverpool in the semi-finals and the other irony is their probable main summer transfer target, Steven Gerrard, fits exactly into that mould of a tireless worker.
Gerrard is set to have a fascinating midfield duel with England team-mate Frank Lampard, who took his tally for the season to 15 goals with his deflected effort against Bayern – the same total that he reached last season.
Lampard told Chelsea TV: “I want to beat that. There’s no point in setting yourself low targets and not pushing yourself.
“I set a target this season to get near that and I’m there already, so I’ll look for a few more now. I was going to say I’d aim for 20, but I don’t want to push myself too far.”
Lampard was today shortlisted alongside team-mates John Terry and Petr Cech for the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year awards.
Indeed, Terry has been just as vital in Chelsea’s progress so far this season and it was a worrying to see him limping away from the Olympic Stadium in midweek with a thigh injury.
But the initial signs seem promising that, with Chelsea not playing this weekend due to Manchester United’s participation in the FA Cup semi-finals, Terry will recover in time for their next match – at home to Arsenal next Wednesday.
With an ultrasound scan having revealed severe bruising, he will be given intensive treatment at the club over the next few days but reports indicate he could return to full training on Sunday.
Centre-back William Gallas, meanwhile, played down fears he may consider quitting the club this summer – even if he confirmed he has only reluctantly moved to left-back to cover for the injured Wayne Bridge and Ferreira.
“It is not true [that I may leave,]” Gallas told L’Equipe.
“But although I will sacrifice until the end of the season, we will then have to clarify things once and for all.”
