Cole:

Cole: Everthing falling into place
(PA) Monday 2 November 2009
Print
Email my friend
Share

Joe Cole believes everything is now in place for Chelsea to exorcise the ghosts of past disappointments and become European champions for the first time. The Blues have been the nearly men of the UEFA Champions League for the last six years, being knocked out at the semi-final stage on four occasions and, having at last managed to get through to the final in 2008, losing on penalties to Manchester United.

This year looks to be another good one in Europe for Chelsea, who under manager Carlo Ancelotti have won all three of their Group D games without conceding a goal and have the chance to book their spot in the last 16 with a victory over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon tomorrow. Cole sees no reason why they cannot go all the way this time around.

"Obviously the Premier League is very important, but for this club the Champions League is a massive target for us. We've not won it yet," said Cole. "We've come close over the last five years and we probably should've won it on a few occasions.

"We have the right people in charge, we have the experience now and we have to come to places like this and win; that's the challenge for us."

Cole was sidelined by injury last season when Chelsea exited the UEFA Champions League in heartbreaking fashion against another Spanish side, Barcelona, losing on away goals in the semi-finals after Andres Iniesta netted a stoppage-time equaliser for Josep Guardiola's side at Stamford Bridge. Cole said of that defeat: "That was the most difficult game to watch for me. I was convinced it was going to be our year.

"It didn't happen and it hurt, like it would have any other Chelsea fan, but we have to put that behind us now," he said. "That's been and gone, and now it's a new season and a fresh chance to win it."
We have the right people in charge, we have the experience now and we have to come to places like this and win; that's the challenge for us.
Joe Cole