Carlo Ancelotti: Joe Cole Can Make England’s World Cup Squad

Carlo Ancelotti is hoping the incentive of earning a coveted spot in Fabio Capello’s England World Cup squad will bring out the best in Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole.

Cole suffered a knee injury this time last year and has only recently returned to the squad, albeit a slow re-introduction under the Chelsea manager’s watchful eye.

And despite reports speculating of a move away from Stamford Bridge for the West Ham United youth product, Ancelotti is insistent that the player’s popularity should keep him in west London for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to the press, the Italian said: “He wants to stay and we want to keep him. We know the situation and we are talking with him.

“We are confident that Joe [Cole] wants to stay. He’s an important player for the squad and the fans. The fans like him and I think he will stay here.

“For Joe it’s an important moment. He came back from the injury and he has an important appointment to achieve this season.

“The World Cup means it’s important [for him] to play well for Chelsea. At this moment he has [a] good mental attitude and [is in] good condition.”

An empathetic Ancelotti acknowledged that the best is yet to come from the tricky Englishmen, and that such improvements should correlate with the player’s confidence.

“He could do better,” he added. “He must improve his confidence. I was out one year with injury, [and I know that] it’s not easy to return [after being out for so long].

“You need to have time to play and improve the confidence. It’s not easy to come back and do the best immediately.

“He’s very close. He played very well against Watford. Also the last game, maybe he met more difficulties playing in a new position.

“I think that for him it’s good motivation to get to the World Cup. Capello will look at his performances. He has a good chance of playing in the World Cup.”