Fabio Capello gave his England players two days off after their shameful performance against Japan but Joe Cole reported to Chelsea’s training ground yesterday to keep himself ticking over for the World Cup. Cole, 28, is expected to be named in Capello’s 23-man squad today and has told his representatives he does not want to make a final decision on his future until he returns from the tournament in South Africa. The midfielder’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of this month.
The prospect of Cole returning to Stamford Bridge afterwards appears to be receding with Chelsea chasing Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun. Manchester United are understood to have also cooled on Cole, leaving Tottenham and Arsenal at the front of a queue of many clubs. Chelsea have made no effort to resume contract talks since the end of the season, although club captain John Terry has urged them to keep him: ‘We’d love him to stay. It would be nice to get Joe sorted before the World Cup but sometimes it’s not as easy as that. We’ve got a massive tournament and we’ve got a manager who doesn’t want any distractions.’
UPDATE 01/06/10
Joe Cole's off to the World Cup, Capello confirmed today. Sadly, however, Theo Walcott isn't. Heigh-ho.
UPDATE 01/06/10
Joe Cole's off to the World Cup, Capello confirmed today. Sadly, however, Theo Walcott isn't. Heigh-ho.
