World Cup 2010: Frank Lampard Backs Joe Cole's England Bid
Midfielder offers 'that little bit of magic'...
Joe Cole can offer England the "magic" needed to unlock defences at the World Cup this summer if picked in Fabio Capello's final 23 for the tournament, according to Chelsea team mate Frank Lampard.
Capello must trim seven players from the provisional 30-man squad currently training at altitude in Austria, with two international friendlies to be played before the chosen players fly out to South Africa on 2 June.
Cole endured a frustrating, injury-blighted club campaign, and was used mainly as a substitute during the league run-in by managerCarlo
However, he did show encouraging form during his cameo appearances, and was particularly impressive in the second half of Chelsea's final game romp against Wigan Athletic.
Lampard for one feels the creative midfielder should be on the plane.
"I hope Joe will be in the squad because he is my mate and he is a great player," Lampard told the Sunday Mirror.
"He is the sort of player who gives a team something different.
"Even though he has not played that many minutes this season, there is an argument to say that makes him fresh and more dangerous.
"Joe has that little bit of magic, that little turn of pace and ability to beat a man that make all the difference.
"Not many people can bring that to a team in top-class international football but he has it, so I hope he makes it because he deserves that."
The 31-year-old was keen to highlight the positives of both Chelsea's success this season and of Cole's enforced time on the sidelines, saying the blend of momentum and freshness could prove a winning formula.
"Maybe that will give us a little edge, having Joe so fresh," he said.
"It can't harm any of the Chelsea players to be going to the World Cup full of so much confidence after winning the Double.
"Even Joe, who has been coming on for 20 minutes or half-an-hour in games, has been looking sharp."
One issue Cole may not resolve until after the World Cup, if selected, is his future at Chelsea - the inventive midfielder is out of contract this summer, and has been linked with a move toTottenham Hotspur , among others.
"I don't know if he will stay at Chelsea, that is completely up to him, but Chelsea want him to stay," added Lampard.
"He has been a great player for us and we hope he will stay."
Capello must trim seven players from the provisional 30-man squad currently training at altitude in Austria, with two international friendlies to be played before the chosen players fly out to South Africa on 2 June.
Cole endured a frustrating, injury-blighted club campaign, and was used mainly as a substitute during the league run-in by manager
However, he did show encouraging form during his cameo appearances, and was particularly impressive in the second half of Chelsea's final game romp against Wigan Athletic.
Lampard for one feels the creative midfielder should be on the plane.
"I hope Joe will be in the squad because he is my mate and he is a great player," Lampard told the Sunday Mirror.
"He is the sort of player who gives a team something different.
"Even though he has not played that many minutes this season, there is an argument to say that makes him fresh and more dangerous.
"Joe has that little bit of magic, that little turn of pace and ability to beat a man that make all the difference.
"Not many people can bring that to a team in top-class international football but he has it, so I hope he makes it because he deserves that."
The 31-year-old was keen to highlight the positives of both Chelsea's success this season and of Cole's enforced time on the sidelines, saying the blend of momentum and freshness could prove a winning formula.
"Maybe that will give us a little edge, having Joe so fresh," he said.
"It can't harm any of the Chelsea players to be going to the World Cup full of so much confidence after winning the Double.
"Even Joe, who has been coming on for 20 minutes or half-an-hour in games, has been looking sharp."
One issue Cole may not resolve until after the World Cup, if selected, is his future at Chelsea - the inventive midfielder is out of contract this summer, and has been linked with a move to
"I don't know if he will stay at Chelsea, that is completely up to him, but Chelsea want him to stay," added Lampard.
"He has been a great player for us and we hope he will stay."
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