Joe's mental strength
Sunday, 15 May, 2005
England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson on midfield star Joe Cole's determination to prove himself.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed how England star Joe Cole is so keen to improve that he once knocked on his door in Soho Square to ask for advice over a cup of tea!
Eriksson believes Cole can make a big impact for England in this month's tour to the United States and has been hugely impressed by the Chelsea player's progress this season.
But Sven admits he has always been an admirer of the 23-year-old, picking him consistently over the last three years, even though he didn't always choose to play him.
Cole was a member of England's World Cup squad in Japan and Korea in 2002 but didn't get a chance to play - and suffered the same disappointment when he was picked for Euro 2004 but wasn't used.
He also had a tough time when he first arrived at Chelsea and found it difficult to force his way into the team.
But now, however, Sven feels the former West Ham youngster is ready for more responsibility with the Three Lions, thanks to his amazing attitude and determination.
He said: "He excites me because he's different. And now he's playing football as you should play football, he's not trying to make the crowds happy with tricks all the time, which he did in the past.
"Now he's a really good football player. He can beat people, and he scores goals, and he defends in his own penalty area as well - when he tackles it's fantastic.
"I think Joe Cole has shown great mental strength. I remember, it must have been about one and a half years ago, he was the only one I can ever recall who just came up knocking on my door at my office in Soho Square, desperate, asking what to do because he couldn't get into the Chelsea team.
"He's a very nice boy, and I told him just to fight on - I said it will come one day. And it did, so he showed mental strength very, very much.
"I don't know what made him come in, he was walking around London maybe! I don't know. But it was very nice for me. And he was not happy, so we took tea up in my office together."
Since that day Cole has improved dramatically for Chelsea and for England, but Sven is quick to point out that it is the player and his club manager Jose Mourinho who deserve the credit.
He said: "Mourinho, he has done a great job with him. Exactly how he did it I don't know, I'm really not interested, what I am interested in is that Joe Cole is a real football player today.
"I always picked him because I always thought he is one of the biggest talents we can find, he's very very special. But of course all the time I told him as well, you can't lose the ball there, which he did in some friendly games.
"I only have two training sessions before a friendly game and there's not enough time to bang these things into his head. But probably Mourinho has done it - and he has done it very well.
"Now Joe is so much improved. I think along with Jamie Carragher he is the most improved player in England this season."
Cole, who has won 21 caps for the Three Lions so far, is hoping to start England's first match in America, against the United States in Chicago on 28 May. Sven's men also face Colombia in New York on 31 May.