Cole dig at Mourinho and Grant over negative style
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has aimed a dig at former Blues managers Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant, accusing the pair of not wanting to play “the right way”.
Cole says he is delighted at the arrival of former Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who welcomed the players back for pre-season training this week.
And in a barb at the defensively minded Mourinho and Grant, Cole added he was looking forward to finally playing “beautiful football”. “I’ve been waiting for it my entire career – a manager who wants to play the right way,” said Cole. “I’m nearly 27 now, and have been waiting for someone like him (Scolari) to come along. I’m really excited to play for him, I’m chomping at the bit.
“I’m getting a good vibe from him. He already has the respect of the boys and has settled in nicely. From what I know about the way he set up Portugal and Brazil, and watching them play, it was beautiful football. There are plenty of players who like to get the ball down. I’m so excited.”
Steve Sidwell yesterday became the first departure of Scolari’s reign, after the former Reading midfielder completed a £5m transfer to Aston Villa. The former Arsenal trainee, 25, failed to make an impression after joining Chelsea last summer, and looks set to replace Liverpool-bound Gareth Barry at Villa Park.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could be next out the door – if fans of his former club Marseille can raise enough money.
French supporters have set up an internet whip-round in a bid to buy back the 30-year-old, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Fans have already raised £4,000, but that is some way short of the £22m Chelsea are said to have quoted AC Milan and Inter Milan.