Why Joe Cole Should Be Starting for England in South Africa
Joe Cole is still sweating on his World Cup place, but the Chelsea star should be a shoo-in for the plane to South Africa.
Cole has had his injury problems this season, but he returned for Chelsea and made the cut for Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional squad and now he's waiting to make the 23-man party.
Cole was introduced as a half-time substitute in Sunday's nervy 2-1 victory over Japan, and he was a shining light for the Three Lions. His performance will have pleased anyone who has placed an free England World Cup bet .
Cole played just behind Wayne Rooney, and it was his cross that created England's equalizer, via an own goal, before Ashley Cole's cross resulted in a second own goal to hand England victory.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Cole, as always, looked comfortable on the ball and he is one of only a few members of the squad who can go past an opponent. Capello switched Cole into a more familiar wide midfield role later in the game to give Emile Heskey a run-out in attack—suggesting Cole had done enough to persuade him of his place in the 23.
Afterward, Capello, who was looking to fill just three places on the plane ahead of the clash in Graz, said he had decided on his final traveling party. Cole should surely make the cut.
In fact, Cole's creative talents could see him in contention to make the starting lineup. And he could well be a key man for England in the knockout stage, when time and space are at a premium. The World Cup 2010 betting still makes England third favorites, and they will need a little bit of magic if they are to win it. Cole could produce this.
On reflection, forget all the negative press from the game, England got through the match without any injuries and they did manage to earn a win against opposition who will cause teams problems in South Africa next month. England were far from their fluent best, but after a drab first half, they asserted themselves in the second period and wore down Japan. Capello will be content and we await his final 23 on June 1.
