Cole showing red-hot form as competition at Chelsea hots-up

CHELSEA midfielder Joe Cole insists the fierce competition for places following Arjen Robben’s return from injury will bring the best out of himself and Damien Duff.

Cole’s all-round game has been transformed over the past few months, with Robben’s injury having allowed him a run in the side as one of the Blues’ two wing threats.

Just a few months ago, Robben’s return would have almost certainly have meant Cole automatically dropping back to a familiar role on the bench.

However, one of the most notable moments in his man-of-the-match display against Crystal Palace came when Robben made his long-awaited comeback after six weeks on the sidelines.

Rather than Cole, who had scored Chelsea’s vital second goal, it was Duff who was replaced and it is clear Mourinho will face a major selection decision at Southampton in a fortnight’s time.

Cole declared: “With three of us vying for two positions, I think it’s bringing the best out of all three of us. I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt now and the competition for places between the three of us is great. I’m very different to Robbie and Duffer is different to both of us. It gives us a good blend to have the three different styles.”

Mourinho could even keep all three players in the side, by dropping Eidur Gudjohnsen or Didier Drogba and switching Cole back into a more central midfield role.

For the Chelsea boss now seems to trust the former West Ham midfielder to make the most of his talent, rather than shining intermittently in flashes.

“I’ve learned a lot from the boss and the coaching staff this season, I’ve really taken a lot on board and I’m happy with my form,” he observed.

Meanwhile, the Premier League are expected to appoint a disciplinary panel in the next week to deal with Chelsea’s alleged tapping up of Ashley Cole, and Arsene Wenger has recently admitted that he believes the England defender’s form has been destabilised by the saga.

Forced by a lack of personnel to select him in a left midfield position against Blackburn, Wenger could not have asked for a better response as Cole appeared to relish the attacking responsibility, setting up the winning goal for Robin van Persie and generally showing just why Chelsea may be so keen to sign him.

Wenger said: “I think it has affected him but he showed in this match that he is over it.

“For me he had a very good game. He worked very hard, was always dangerous and he can mix it up well with Gael Clichy on that flank.

“Because he likes to go forward so much I think he enjoys to play a little higher up the pitch and he had a good game.”