No fear of complacency, says Cole
Manager Jose Mourinho may well hand Cole the task of filling the void left by the injured Arjen Robben against Everton at Goodison Park today.
Last Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Manchester City cut Chelsea’s lead at the top to single figures and sparked suggestions it was the beginning of the ‘blip’ in form their title rivals had predicted would occur at some stage of the season.
However, Cole is adamant Chelsea are in no mood to become complacent and he cannot envisage a time where they would lose two or three games on the bounce.
Cole said: “We are very comfortable being at the top and we just need to keep going. But we aren’t hung up on going the rest of the season unbeaten. If people see losing one game as a blip, well that could happen to anybody on any day.
“But if a blip is losing two or three games on the spin - you can’t see it happening at Chelsea. We have always expected to win every game because of the quality of our squad. People can say that they like but the only reason we could trip up is if we become complacent. That is not going to happen.”
Chelsea’s growing army of critics have also attempted to derail their title quest by claiming they have not got the necessary mental strength to live with being league leaders.
But Mourinho’s side have kept on winning while rivals Arsenal and Manchester United have laboured behind. Cole knows exactly how it feels to be doing the chasing as Chelsea had to watch in frustration as Arsene Wenger’s side went through last season unbeaten to win the title.
Now it is time for Chelsea to dish out the same kind of treatment to Arsenal and United, according to Cole.
“We have managed to build a nice lead at the top and that puts the pressure on United and Arsenal,” he said.
“We know how it feels from last year, when Arsenal just kept on winning. Now, it’s up to them to keep getting the right results. We are happy with the situation and will continue to ride this wave we are on.
“I believe we have the players who can handle the pressure. Being top has always sat well with us. I don’t think you can ever sense any panic.”
The England international is now more confident than ever that he has a place in Mourinho’s plans after a season that has seen him flit in and out of the side.
He added: “I have had a few meetings with the boss because like every player, all I want to do is play week-in, week-out. Every time we’ve spoken I’ve been more convinced that I am in his plans.”
Striker Didier Drogba is hopeful of recovering from the thigh strain which forced him to miss the goalless draw with Manchester City.
Everton full-back Tony Hibbert will miss the clash as he serves a one-match ban for picking up five yellow cards.
Everton have doubts over midfielders Tim Cahill and Lee Carsley while Leon Osman is expected to have recovered from a knee problem.
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