Fabio Capello Needs To Give Joe Cole The Chance To Shine

Der Kaiser reckons England play kick-and-rush and you have to wonder why the silky skills of Joe Cole have been ignored by Fabio Capello.

Although he has the initials JC he is not viewed as the potential saviour of his country.

Cole – released last week by Chelsea – spent England’s first game of the World Cup on the bench, watching England produce the sort of stuff which led to Franz Beckenbauer’s savage attack.

That seems to be the story of Cole’s career of late – a footballing gem not treasured by club or country.

Rated a boy genius at West Ham and likened by then boss Harry Redknapp at 17 to Gianfranco Zola, his huge ability on the ball has probably never reached its peak – or been allowed to reach its peak.

He remains a player who appears to frustrate his managers as much as excite them.

In the hurly-burly of the Premier League and England internationals, Cole’s artistry appears to be viewed now as superfluous.

It is not difficult to imagine his various bosses telling Cole what he is doing wrong, not what he is doing right.

There is something about the Islington-born star that has provoked managers into criticising him publicly – for giving the ball away, not tackling back and straying out of position.

Even Sven Goran Eriksson – that most mild-mannered Swede – had a dig in 2002 when Cole gave away possession which ended in a goal for Italy in a 2-1 defeat by the Italians at Elland Road.

Jose Mourinho at Chelsea did not hold back, slamming Cole after he scored the winner against Liverpool for neglecting defensive duties and hauling him off the pitch soon after his goal.

Mourinho famously described Cole as a player “with two faces” – one he liked (Cole’s flair and technical ability) and the other he did not (Cole’s alleged lack of enthusiasm for defensive duties).

You cannot imagine Eriksson or Mourinho acting the same way with Frank Lampard.

Perhaps Cole is too nice. One of the most pleasant footballers you could wish to meet off the pitch, he must have been gutted to see Shaun Wright-Phillips sent on for the out-of-sorts James Milner against the USA on Saturday.

Despite that he still found the time to say “safe journey home lads” to the waiting media after the game.

Redknapp, now at Spurs, is looking to snap up Cole on a free transfer with Harry stating what Cole really needs is a boss who makes him feel wanted.

Hopefully, Redknapp can give him that, but imagine how he would be embraced in Spain, playing for a top La Liga side.

Cole has improved massively when it comes to defending but the impression remains he has lost his identity as a footballer.

Maybe after Saturday’s deeply disappointing draw against the USA, Capello, who made Cole sweat on his World Cup place right up to the last minute, will turn to the playmaker at some point against Algeria tomorrow.

Maybe the Italian might tell the 28-year-old to go out and express himself.

Let’s hope so, because we might witness the resurrection of JC in South Africa.

David Silva Wants To Leave Spain For England

David Silva, the Spain international midfielder, has had a change of mind about moving to England and is deliberating whether to choose Manchester City or Chelsea amid firm interest from both clubs.

Silva's reluctance to leave Spain was described as unflinching when City opened formal talks with Valencia at the end of last season but the player has gradually come round to the idea of playing in the Premier League, not least because of the realisation that Real Madrid's new manager, José Mourinho, is not keen on recruiting him.

Barcelona also have other targets, having already signed David Villa from Valencia, and Silva is now left with a choice of remaining at Valencia or moving to England. His representatives have informed Valencia in the last 48 hours that he would like to take the option of a transfer.

That now boils down to a straight choice between City or Chelsea depending on a financial arrangement being agreed with his current club. That, however, is proving far from straightforward, with Valencia asking around €40m (£33.2m), a fee that is considered exorbitant at Eastlands and Stamford Bridge.

City were the first club to register an official interest in the 24-year-old and have the financial power to offer more than Chelsea in terms of both the transfer fee and the player's salary, which currently stands at £3m a year and could easily be doubled if he were to join Roberto Mancini's team. Chelsea, however, have the lure of playing in the Champions League next season and of joining a club that has just deposed Manchester United as champions.

Silva is described as open-minded but it is understood he marginally favours Chelsea on the basis that City's reputation in Spain is not yet of one of Europe's more powerful clubs, at least not in football terms. The likelihood is that he will wait until after the World Cup in case a good tournament persuades Madrid or Barcelona to look into his availability.

City's pursuit of Silva partly originates from their knowledge that two of their more creative players, Robinho and Stephen Ireland, both want to leave the club this summer. Robinho, one of Brazil's more impressive players in the 2-1 defeat of North Korea, has made it clear he does not want to return to Manchester when his loan arrangement with Santos expires on 4 August and his representatives are due to meet the City chief executive, Garry Cook, to make that official. That meeting was due to take place today but will now be held next week.

Chelsea Join Arsenal & Manchester City In Race For £20m-Rated Germany Star Mesut Ozil

Chelsea are set to join Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City in the battle for £20 million Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil.

The Germany international is one of world football’s most talented young players and Arsenal is keen to replace Cesc Fabregas with the 21-year-old this summer.

City is also interested in Ozil after seeing the midfielder develop in the last year, but Chelsea is prepared to beat everyone to the German star, according to the Daily Mail.

Ozil, who joined Werder Bremen from Schalke two years ago, has 12 months left on his current contract and has refused to accept a new deal from the Bundesliga club.

Chelsea have been interested in Ozil since he made his move to Werder Bremen and the defending Premier League champions are seeking a midfield replacement for departed veteran Michael Ballack.

Chelsea Stun Real Madrid With Offer To Triple Star Defender Sergio Ramos' Wage Packet

Chelsea have rocked Real Madrid by offering right back Sergio Ramos an £8.3 million-a-year wage packet to move to west London, according to Sport.

Ramos, 24, has developed in to one of the best defenders in the sport since moving to the Bernabeau in 2004. Although set to star for Spain at World Cup 2010, he is currently paid just £2.5m per annum, a figure the Blues intend to eclipse.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a personal fan of the player, and has sanctioned a £48 million bid. With current right back Jose Bosingwa sidelined with a long-term knee injury, there is space in manager Carlo Ancelotti's side for the superstar defender.

Arsenal Beat Chelsea To Sign Dutch Youngster Ebecilio

Arsenal have beaten Chelsea in the race to sign Feyenoord starlet Kyle Ebecilio, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 16-year-old midfielder will join the Gunners on a three-year deal on July 1st. Arsenal will have to pay Feyenoord compensation for Ebicilio's training costs of around £500,000.

A strong and powerful attacking midfielder, Chelsea had thought that they were about to do a deal for Ebecilio but Arsenal's outstanding record of youth development under Arsene Wenger has apparently counted in the Gunners' favour.

Nonetheless, Feyenoord are disappointed to lose their young talent, having seen Ebecilio's cousin Jeffrey Bruma move to Chelsea in similar circumstances.

Feyenoord technical director Leo Beenhakker said, "We did what we could do by offering the kid a contract on time. But he wanted to wait, again this is his right. That he now goes to Arsenal, means that we only get a training allowance.

"This is the story of (Chelsea defender Jeffrey) Bruma, he was also a great talent that unfortunately never played for us. I treasure Ebecilio highly."

Ebecilio has represented Holland at under-15 and under-16 level.

Drogba: I Can't Believe It, But By The Grace Of God I'm Playing At The World Cup

Didier Drogba admitted he could not believe his World Cup dream was still alive after breaking his arm a week before the tournament started.

Drogba looked to be out of the World Cup after suffering the break in a warm-up game against Japan, but he made a remarkable recovery and came on for the final 25 minutes of Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Portugal.

And Chelsea striker Drogba, who said he will be fit to start Ivory Coast’s next game, against Brazil on Sunday, said he could not believe he was still able to play after fearing he would miss the tournament.

“I was very disappointed at first when I got the injury, but then the doctor said to me that I still had a chance to be in the squad,” said Drogba.

“So then we did everything in our hands just to try the impossible and, by the grace of God, the impossible has happened. It’s amazing. The work the doctors have done is incredible. It’s not easy to recover quickly from surgery and a broken bone and I’m just so, so grateful to be here and playing.

“Every time you put your foot on the pitch there’s a risk, but with the protection I had it was clear that there wasn’t any more of a gamble by me being there.

“The only problem I would have had was if I had fallen over. But even if I had fallen over it would only have been pain that I would have felt. Pain, I can cope with that. I wouldn’t take the risk.

“If I thought I couldn’t have played I wouldn’t have been on the pitch. Brazil is going to be a difficult game, but I hope I will have those few days to improve my condition and look at the parts of my game I couldn’t work on because I was at the hospital. But I’m confident.”

Why Frustrated Anelka Is Firing Blanks

A month after Aimé Jacquet decided against including a precocious young Nicolas Anelka in his final squad for the 1998 World Cup, L’Équipe went to visit the then Arsenal striker in Trappes, the town just half an hour outside of Paris he calls home.

They found him watching France’s second round match against Paraguay, which had the entire nation on the edge of its seat. The game went to extra-time and was ultimately decided by a strike in the 113th minute from Le Président himself, Laurent Blanc.

When asked if he would like to have been a part of it, an indifferent looking Anelka apparently replied: “It’s not that I don’t care about Les Bleus, but, at some point, you have to say stop. Otherwise you spend your life in front of the TV.” Anelka was just 19.

Four years later in 2002, an unconvincing spell on loan at Liverpool meant he was overlooked again despite performing well at the European Championship in Holland and Belgium. When Jacques Santini called Anelka up to replace the injured Sidney Govou in November, he point-blank refused, saying that he didn’t want to be ‘a stop-gap’. Anelka later demanded that Santini “get on his knees and apologise.”

His international career already appeared to be over and under Raymond Domenech it didn’t look like being resurrected as Anelka was ignored again in 2006. “I will not watch the World Cup,” he grumbled. “I feel Domenech called me back just so I could show my potential. I even scored. I think that right from the start, he had no intention of taking me on board anyway. I deserved a place.”

However, since November last year when he scored the winning goal in the first leg of France’s controversial play-off against the Republic of Ireland, Anelka has become a pillar of Domenech’s side. In fact, if he plays tonight, Anelka will set a personal record of starting eight consecutive matches for Les Bleus.

Nevertheless, his troubled history with France means the 31-year-old’s commitment still frequently comes into question. Wednesday’s L’Équipe even inquired whether Anelka really considers this summer’s World Cup in South Africa to be the pinnacle of his career, it of course being his first.

If Anelka does consider it to be so, why then is he having so much trouble working for the team as a lone central striker in both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 formation? In each of France’s last four matches, Anelka has persistently dropped back into midfield to find the ball instead of maintaining his position and acting as the reference point for the attack as both systems clearly demand.

It’s the sort of role David Trezeguet excelled in; often disappearing, not playing any part in the build up, just being there when the move needed finishing. But Anelka, out of a need to touch the ball and feel included, can’t or maybe won’t make it work. The net result: he hasn’t recorded any shots on target in his last four matches and Les Bleus are struggling for goals.

“A centre-forward must call for the ball to be played deep and get on the end of crosses like Miroslav Klose did on Philipp Lahm’s ball for Germany’s second goal against Australia,” explained Bixente Lizarazu, left back of the great side of 1998 and 2000.

“Anelka does what he wants. He does what he likes. He will play the same match in whatever position you put him. If you put him at right-back, he would still play as a false nine.”

Statistics from France’s opening game against Uruguay last Friday show that Anelka received the ball just once in the opposition penalty area, but collected it 13 times around the half-way line. Luis Fernandez, his former coach at Paris-Saint Germain, claims this is indicative of the fact Anelka has never liked playing on his own up front.

“He grows frustrated very quickly in this position and rapidly ‘unhooks’ himself from the attack to find the ball. In Paris, with Jean-Louis Gasset, they were always saying to him: ‘Call out to the wings for the ball, then move, and ask for it in the box’. He didn’t want to. He always wanted to touch the ball.” Anelka’s apparent reluctance to play any other way supposedly led one former France manager to believe he didn’t like football at the highest level because of its emphasis on executing tactics to the letter, restricting his freedom of expression.

However, as Roger Lemerre’s former assistant René Girard countered: “It’s difficult to say that a player who is a regular at Chelsea with an Italian coach doesn’t like constraints.” World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry also believes Anelka has no problem playing as a lone striker, as he used to do everything required of him in that role when Zinedine Zidane asked him to do so; the implication being that there currently isn’t an authority figure within the French camp.

Of course, all the blame for France’s problems up front shouldn’t be left squarely on Anelka’s shoulders, even if his record at international level stands at only one goal every 300 minutes. Domenech has lined up seven different attacks in his last 12 matches, preventing his strikers from developing an understanding of each other’s movements and responsibilities.

It’s likely to be different again tonight against Mexico even though Domenech will persist with the 4-2-3-1 he used against Uruguay. Thierry Henry looks set to return to the starting XI as France’s central striker, but Anelka won’t be dropped. Instead, he’ll move to the right-hand side where he featured regularly during qualifying, taking the place of Sidney Govou

Anelka’s Chelsea team-mate Florent Malouda is certain to be back after his spat with Domenech last week. He will play on the left-hand side, meaning Franck Ribéry moves into the hole behind Henry at the expense of Yoann Gourcuff, undoubtedly the biggest casualty of France’s recent travails.

Chelsea Will Start Title Defence By Hosting West Brom

Chelsea begin their defence of the Barclays Premier League title with a home match against newly-promoted West Brom.

The match on August 14 means a return to Stamford Bridge for former Blues midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of Albion.

Next up for the champions will be a trip to Wigan, where they were beaten last season, before Stoke visit Stamford Bridge on August 28.

The title holders have to wait until October 2 for their first match against one of the big four clubs, when they face Arsenal at home, with the return fixture on Boxing Day.

Carlo Ancelotti's side first play Manchester United on December 18, with the two shaping up at Old Trafford on May 7 - the Blues' penultimate away fixture.

United, runners-up in 2009-10, also start with a home match against a newly-promoted team. Sir Alex Ferguson's side takes on Newcastle on the first day.

And Blackpool, the third of the sides promoted from the Championship, provide the Old Trafford opposition on the last day of the season, May 22.

There are two intriguing matches between top-four hopefuls on the opening day.

Liverpool starts the post-Rafael Benitez era with a home match against Arsenal, while Tottenham and Manchester City meet at White Hart Lane.

Aston Villa faces West Ham and Everton travel to Blackburn, while Blackpool's first match in the Premier League is at home, to local rivals Wigan.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Steve Bruce's Sunderland are at home to Birmingham, one of the clubs he previously managed.

Wolves and Stoke clash at Molineux, while Bolton and Europa League runners-up Fulham meet in the north-west.

Summary Of A Season: Ricardo Carvalho

Having declared the 2008/09 season 'the worst of my career', his hamstring tearing three times being the prime reason, playing 11 games more in 2009/10 and collecting a championship winners' medal at the end of it allows Ricardo Carvalho to consider his sixth Chelsea year more of a success.

It was however another season hit by injury at the end for the hugely-respected defender who has spent half the last decade as a league champion in Portugal or England.

He did total 22 league games and five Champions League appearances and it all began very well. His diving header against Manchester United in the Community Shield was Chelsea's first competitive goal of the season.

With Alex's summer groin surgery chipping two month's off the start of the Brazilian's season, Carvalho's return to fitness was all the more important and he was there in his familiar position alongside John Terry for the first league game, but was left on the bench for the midweek visit to Sunderland three days later with Branislav Ivanovic coming in.

This was a pattern repeated in the early months when two games a week where scheduled. Care was being taken with muscle tissue that proved vulnerable the year before.

Matches against Fulham, Burnley, Porto and Spurs all had Riccy in defence and were won with no goals conceded but he was also there for defeats at Wigan and Villa when the team's set-piece defending came into question, as it had the previous season.

Alex came back into the frame in October but after rotation, Carvalho returned to start November's visit by Manchester United to the Bridge. He was the team's outstanding player on the day, making important blocks from Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney. Chelsea won 1-0.

A week earlier he had crossed with the outside of the boot for Ivanovic to head a fourth goal at Bolton.

A 3-0 win at Arsenal followed soon after the Man U win and Ancelotti during this period said:

'In this moment defensive players are doing very well. We have Terry, Ivanovic, Carvalho, and Ashley Cole. The defensive line is working very well.'

Beginning with defeat at Man City, December was less secure and although our Portuguese centre-back joined the collection of overseas players to make 200 appearances for the club that month, by Christmas he was firmly locked into a game-by-game rotation with Alex as Terry's partner.

It was a policy shelved in February, partly down to an Alex niggling injury. Carvalho played four in a row for a second time in the season but defeat in the San Siro to Inter was followed by the home low point - a 4-2 reverse against Man City. Carvalho was substituted 69 minutes in with Chelsea losing 2-1.

From then on in Alex was first choice. Carvalho did start a month later at Portsmouth but lasted only 36 minutes before suffering ankle ligament damage that ended his club season, although happily not his World Cup.

Ossie Ardiles: Frank Lampard-Steven Gerrard Axis Could Be England's Undoing

At the very latest, that was the day before or even 48 hours before kick-off. I wanted them to have worked on patterns of play, set-pieces, and their shape as a unit.

As a player, my preference was to know as early as possible, to prepare myself. I certainly wanted to go to bed the night before the game knowing I was playing.

Yet there is a counter-argument from some managers that they like to leave it until the day of the game — or in Fabio Capello’s case, two hours before the game – to keep the squad on their toes.

I’m not joining the long queue criticising Capello. For me, it is much ado about nothing, because at least seven or eight of the England team know they are in the starting XI. England have far more pressing problems to deal with.

But to deal with the Capello situation, criticism of managers is a part of World Cup finals. Always has been. Yet the only thing that counts when you are a manager is the set of results. How you do it really doesn’t matter.

And there are myriad ways to achieve your goals.

Managers have already been under pressure from their critics at this World Cup. England didn’t look very good, nor did France or Italy. Zinedine Zidane has found fault with France coach Raymond Domenech. They have said Marcello Lippi’s Italy are too old. I see Italy as a very strong group of players.

For me, sudden death games are when the real World Cup starts.

It doesn’t surprise me at all that Capello is under pressure from the English media. England needs changes, positional realignment, and they need to win the next game.

Capello has questions to answer. Choosing the goalkeeper from David James, Joe Hart and Rob Green was always going to be an issue; we knew that before the World Cup. There is nothing between them.

For me the most important issue Capello has to deal with though, is how Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard play together; who occupies left midfield, and who plays up front with Wayne Rooney. A formation aligned correctly could transform them as a team.

England have the personnel to play in a much more continental style. They need a slower pace, more time on the ball, and to let Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, and Aaron Lennon play.

At the moment, everything is so quick, at 100mph. That frenetic pace played into the hands of USA. It was like watching a Champions League team agreeing to a physical battle with a lower league team. Pointless — and dangerous.

England are certainties to reach the knockout stages. But unless they change, the Lampard-Gerrard situation will be their undoing when it comes to sudden death.

I feel watching all the games in the World Cup, the task is creatively unlocking, and then destroying, the opposition. Everyone is very well organised at this World Cup.

Gerrard and Lampard in a holding position don’t work. They don’t look right in defensive roles, and their talent for creative openings is wasted.

Perhaps Capello should go for 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. Michael Carrick is the natural holding role player, and I would get Gareth Barry in immediately on the left midfield, with Lampard and Gerrard pushing forward on the right, and left midfield channels, pushing up to work and hunt with Rooney. Almost 4-3-3. Lennon would be on my right midfield.

Capello could even push Gerrard right up front with Rooney with a 4-4-2, but I favour the first option.

If England relax and pass the ball, they would be a different side. Argentina, Holland and Germany have looked the best sides in the tournament so far. Why? They keep the ball for long periods, and play at their tempo and pace, and in doing so, find the space and creativity to find the goal.

Can England do it? We will have to wait and see because the real World Cup starts in 10 days’ time.

Chelsea Make £50 Million Bid For Torres

Chelsea are waiting to hear back from Liverpool having lodged a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres, according to a transfer insider.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to what would be the biggest domestic transfer in Premier League history, but will have to out bid Manchester City.

An insider close to the negotiations told Soccernet: "There have been two verbal offers for Torres, Chelsea are willing to pay £50 million, but Manchester City offered verbally £25 million more!

"Liverpool would naturally want the bigger sum, but Torres as made it perfectly clear that he won't be joining Manchester City, even though City would go as high as £200,000-a-week wages.

"Even so Chelsea would pay Torres £140,000-a-week and when you're at that level, the important thing for the player is to go to a club with Champions League football and the chance of winning the major honours.

Liverpool, who are still to appoint a new manager after parting company with Rafael Benitez last month, have not formally acknowledged Chelsea's approach.

The blues are also in the hunt to sign Yossi Benayoun from the Anfield club and Soccernet's source expects both players to be at Stamford Bridge next season.

"If you are asking my opinion both Torres and Benayoun will go to Chelsea, the Benayoun deal is very close to completion, but Torres won't be sorted out now until after the World Cup Finals."

Leverkusen Desperate To Sign Ballack

Bayer Leverkusen will do "all they can" to bring Michael Ballack back to the club eight years after his first spell in North-Rhein Westphalia ended following the most successful season in the club's history.

Ballack becomes a free agent at the end of the month when his contract with Chelsea expires and several clubs from the Bundesliga have been linked with him, but Leverkusen have been keen to make their interest known, with sporting director Rudi Voller declaring the club's interest on Friday.

"We know that he has two definite offers and we are now ready to start negotiations," general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser said. "We will do all we can to bring Ballack back. We are in close contact with him and his agent."

Nevertheless, Holzhauser knows his club cannot compete with the wages rivals Wolfsburg or even Hamburg could offer and is therefore hoping Ballack will follow his heart to return to the club he represented from 1999 to 2002 before joining Bayern Munich.

He finished runner up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League in a memorable final year with Leverkusen.

"If he does come to us, then he is going to have to make sacrifices," Holzhauser added in the Express newspaper. "We cannot compete with what the others are offering."

Sergio Ramos Leaves Door Open To Chelsea Move

According to Spanish daily 'Sport', Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has refused to discount a move to Chelsea.

The newspaper claims that the Blues are willing to offer up to an enormous 70 million euros to the club of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to secure the services of the attacking right-back. Chelsea would also offer the 24-year-old a five-year contract worth 10 million euros annually.

Apparently, Real Madrid do not want to see Ramos leave, he made 40 appearances for the La Liga runners-up last campaign, scoring four goals and providing four assists. Ramos has a contract with Real worth 2.5 million euros a season until 2012/2013.

However, Real Madrid have yet to persuade Ramos to sign an extension and so the door has been left open for him to consider the possibility of a move to Stamford Bridge. 'Sport' suggests that Ramos may be interested in a move to Chelsea, or else he may be using it as a tactic to improve his bargaining position with Real.

Ramos himself appears to be playing his cards close to his chest, telling 'Sport', "I do not know where I will finish my career, because football takes many turns."

Ramos is preparing to make his World Cup debut for Spain against Switzerland.

Manchester City & Chelsea Target Dani Alves Rejects Barcelona Contract Offer

Manchester City and Chelsea have been given a boost in their chase for Barcelona right back Daniel Alves after he rejected a contract extension, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

The Brazilian international spurned an offer to boost his current deal, which runs out in 2012, by two years, amid big-money interest from the Premier League pair. With the ex-Sevilla defender a vital part of the La Liga champions' side, he has demanded a wage packet that reflects his status.

Roberto Mancini's side have refused to flinch in the face of a £35 million price tag, while Jose Bosingwa's injury problems with Chelsea have moved the Blues to the negotiating table.

Portugal Midfielder Deco Denies Row With Coach Carlos Queiroz

Portugal midfielder Deco has issued a statement to explain his post-World Cup opener remarks about coach Carlos Queiroz's choices.

The Chelsea playmaker had criticized Queiroz's decision to deploy him on the right flank in the second-half, only to replace him with Tiago just 15 minutes later. Portugal's opening match against Cote d' Ivoire ended in a goalless draw.

Deco had also questioned his coach's approach to the match, saying that trying to win in 45 minutes almost made Portugal lose the encounter.

He has now declared that it was not his intention to criticize his coach and that his comments reflected his disappointment with the result.

"I want to clarify that I have never had any problem with the coach and it was never my intention to put into question the leadership and the decisions of professor Carlos Queiroz," a Deco statement read.

"My words were uttered in the heat of the moment, without the slightest discernment, because the match had just ended and I felt deeply frustrated for not helping the team win.

"The first half did not go well. In the second-half there were more spaces and I was convinced I could help the team.

"No player likes to be substituted and I am no exception. I believed that at any moment I could make an assist or even score a goal a goal that would decide the match.

"That is where my frustration came from, motivated specially by not helping my team.

"But I never wanted to put the coach into question.

"We have two more matches ahead and we want to reach the Round of 16. That is the objective we are going to focus on."

Portugal will play their second World Cup match against North Korea on June 21st.

Carlos Queiroz Hits Out At FIFA After Didier Drogba Plays For Ivory Coast Against Portugal With Cast

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has criticised FIFA for allowing Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba to play with a cast in their World Cup opener.

The Chelsea striker had been in doubt for the match after having surgery on a broken arm, but FIFA decided that it should be up to referee Jorge Larrionda to rule on whether he could play with a cast on his arm.

"FIFA decided that the referee would make the decision," Queiroz said.

"That sounds strange to us because the rules handed to the national teams state that players cannot play with a simple string bracelet and, all of a sudden, a player shows up with a cast on his arm, putting the Portuguese players at risk.

"When people tell me there is an African football star that should play, I wonder if [the] rules are the same for everyone. We saw the cast but we do not know what he really used. Perhaps against Brazil the rules will change again."

Summary Of A Season: Nicolas Anelka

Following a Golden Boot in 2008/09, expectations were high on Anelka coming into 2009/10, but it was as a supplier of goals rather than as a scorer of them that he excelled this time around.

With Didier Drogba fit and primed to play as a lone centre-forward, it would be the Frenchman who adapted his game from last season, either playing in behind the Ivorian or out wide with a licence to roam.

The pair began the season in tandem and goals began to flow as early as its third league game, Fulham put to the sword with a strike and an assist each before another goal was added at home to Burnley, Drogba again the provider.

Two Champions League winners against Porto and APOEL were followed by a critical first goal against Liverpool, lifting an awkward Drogba cross over Pepe Reina and in.

There was then an eight-game goal drought but it did not concern Carlo Ancelotti, who said: 'He is a great player. People should give him more importance.

'I don't want to change Drogba and Anelka with any other couple. I think they are the best in the country,' the manager added. 'I think that they have fantastic qualities to play together.'

Five league assists in this spell would certainly have calmed the Italian, and he scored in back-to-back games against Everton and Portsmouth in December, as he reached 100 Chelsea appearances, before picking up an untimely groin strain as Drogba departed for Africa.

Nicolas returned in January with three in two games against Sunderland and Preston before an early strike at Burnley to ensure Drogba's absence was not felt.

His return seemed to blunt Anelka somewhat, but it was his sublime cross against Anelka's former club Bolton in April that helped bring to an end a 13-game barren streak, the header home a simple one.

A crucial square ball for Frank Lampard to convert at Anfield just about wrapped up a Premier League title, Anelka's second, and he added two further strikes in the last day demolition of Wigan.

In the FA Cup Final, although reined in slightly, he made history by becoming (along with Ashley Cole) the first man to do the Double with two different clubs, a brilliant achievement at the end of a solid personal season.

If Drogba can remain fit next time around, the chances are Anelka will be back in the supporting role, but there are few who do it better.

Blues Keeper An Option For Gradi

Crewe Alexandra boss Dario Gradi is hoping to bring in an unnamed Chelsea goalkeeper to solve the Railwaymen's goalkeeping crisis.

Gradi is keen to draft in cover for Steve Phillips, who has recently undergone a second shoulder operation.

The Crewe chief, who has a long-standing friendship with Chelsea reserve-team manager Steve Holland, told the club's official website: "Steve has recommended a young goalkeeper to us and he'll come up and join us for pre-season.

"It would initially be a short-term loan deal and we'll see where we are once Steve Phillips is back fit, and if he wants to be his understudy.

"The attraction for him is that he would start the season in the team, because although I do expect Steve Phillips to sign for us, I do not expect him to be fit for the start of the season.

"We expect him to miss the first few games of the season, so it would give this lad an opportunity."

Yossi Benayoun Close To Anfield Exit After Agreeing Terms With Chelsea

Yossi Benayoun has moved closer to a Liverpool exit after agreeing terms on a four-year contract with Chelsea, although the clubs have yet to finalise a fee for the Israel international.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, has targeted the versatile 30-year-old as a replacement for Joe Cole who, along with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti, will be released from Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of the month. Liverpool rejected a £4m inquiry from the Premier League champions for Benayoun last month and have not received another official offer since.

The midfielder, a £5m signing from West Ham United in 2007, has made no secret of his desire to return to London and has agreed in principle to join Chelsea on a four‑year deal. Reports in Israel, where Benayoun is on holiday, have claimed he will undergo a medical at Chelsea's Cobham training ground this week.

Benayoun will be the first high-profile player to leave Anfield following Rafael Benítez's exit should Liverpool agree a compromise figure with Chelsea. The Israel captain signed a four‑year contract at Liverpool last summer and scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the club last season. The midfielder, however, was often deployed as a substitute under Benítez and became frustrated with the former Liverpool manager as a result. Even with Benítez moving to Internazionale, Benayoun remains determined to leave for a club that can offer Champions League football and a better salary, and is expected to get his way in the coming days.

Why Replacing Joe Cole With Yossi Benayoun Doesn't Add Up For Chelsea

Chelsea have moved quickly to fill the void left by Joe Cole with Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, if reports coming out of Israel are to be believed.

The midfielder has reportedly signed a four-year deal at the London club just days after Cole agreed to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer as he was unable to come to agreement on a new deal. But the club's decision to let the England winger leave has been widely derided in some quarters.

Goal.com UK looks at the numbers comparing the two men - and they suggest it is very much a sideways step by Carlo Ancelotti.

30 - Benayoun is approaching the twilight of his career at 30 years old. Cole is two years younger.

35 - How old he'll be if he sees out a four-year contract and one-year extension as mooted.

27.25 - Chelsea had one of the oldest squads in the Premier League last season. Fulham (29.03) had the oldest, while only Bolton, Stoke and Aston Villa also had older squads than Ancelotti's.

£80,000 - The weekly wage Joe Cole was on at Chelsea.

£120,000 - the wages Cole reportedly wanted and the sticking point for negotiations between the midfielder and the club.

£70,000 - The amount Benayoun will reportedly get per week at Stamford Bridge.

31 - The number of games Benayoun started for Liverpool in all competitions last season, while Cole was only picked 22 times.

44 - The number of attempts on goal the Israeli could muster during the last term. Cole was far more adventurous, firing off 59 in fewer appearances.

8 - Benayoun's goals contribution in all competitions (six in the Premier League, two in the Champions League). Cole could only manage two.

6 - How many times Benayoun set up his Liverpool team-mates for goals (four in the league, two in Europe). Cole racked up an impressive 10 assists despite making six fewer appearances than the Israeli.