Cole to bring Chelsea to life?
2007-05-18 10:14
London - Joe Cole is determined to make up for lost time by inspiring Chelsea to a season-saving FA Cup final triumph against Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho's side have looked bereft of inspiration in recent weeks as the mental and physical strains of their failed quadruple bid began to take a heavy toll.
The London club have failed to win any of their last five matches and go into Saturday's Wembley showdown with United stricken by a host of injuries to key players.
So it's just as well for Mourinho that Cole is available to reinvigorate his team after an injury-ravaged campaign. The England winger's quick feet and eye for a defence-splitting pass have been sorely missed as Chelsea laboured to keep pace with United in the Premiership.
But after easing his way back to full fitness for the last few weeks, Cole is finally close to top form and has the champions in his sights.
"On a personal level, this match is so important for me," he said. "Given the injuries I've had, every day I'm able to play this season is a bonus in itself and to be able to play in an FA Cup final for Chelsea is just magnificent. I can't wait.
"People didn't expect me to be back so soon from my injury so every game I play is a little bonus for me. All the time that I was in the gym, working hard, I was focusing on making one of the finals at the end of the season.
"I knew that I wouldn't have much impact in the Premiership but I felt I would be in contention for either the Champions League or the FA Cup and that's what has happened.
"It all boils down to winning this trophy and taking something out of this season. I haven't won this trophy before, a lot of the other lads haven't and of course the manager hasn't so it's huge for all of us.
"I value the FA Cup very highly so I won't be treating it as some consolation prize."
As a result of their injury problems, Chelsea find themselves in the unusual position of being underdogs, but Cole insists the Blues will rise to the challenge.
"We've had our injury problems this season but we have to try and put them out of our mind," he said. "The 11 players who are chosen have to do the job.
"I think having our backs to the wall does bring the best out of us as players. We've had a lot to contend with this season but nobody will be crying for us so we're not going to start complaining. Given the quality of the players we have here, we can still win it."
Cole and Arjen Robben's injury problems robbed Mourinho of his two most creative players for much of the campaign. But both will play some part at Wembley and Robben is convinced a win over United will lay down a marker for next season.
"If you win it you can go to your holiday with a very nice feeling," he said. "We have our minds set on Saturday and hopefully we can go into our holidays with an extra cup, which will show we are still strong."
Petr Cech will be playing in his first FA Cup final and the Czech goalkeeper admits he has quickly grown to love a competition he knew little about.
"I never had a chance to watch the FA Cup when I was growing up because, at the time in Czechoslovakia, you couldn't see the game on TV," he said. "You only got to see a 40 second sports report. You saw the goals and that was it.
"I didn't know too much about the FA Cup final, the history and atmosphere but as soon as I arrived it's been incredible and I now understand what it means to people to play in the final."