Chelsea winger Joe Cole is having the time of his life out there and it shows...
The former West Ham prodigy, who has arguably been the Blues' most consistent performer this season, seems to have rid himself of all mental and tactical shackles since Avram Grant took over, which was never in more evidence than during last weekend's slaughter of Derby when he was simply sublime.
"It's a joy to play at the moment, " Cole enthused.
"For me, just to play and be free and enjoy myself, I feel privileged to play for Chelsea and I feel great.
"I can play the game how I want to play. It is just like playing a game in the playground again."
The England international also showed a great deal of maturity after being surprisingly omitted from the Chelsea side for their Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham but reacting in the best possible way - by letting his feet do the talking and inspiring his side to successive league victories.
by goal.com
Cole: I Feel Like I'm On The Playground Again!
Anelka: Perhaps I've Moved Too Much In My Career
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka expressed a measure of regret over having changed clubs so many times during his career, but defended his brothers against accusations that they manipulated him into the moves for their own financial gain.
Many believe that the 29-year-old France international has never been unable to fulfill his true potential because of the constant uprooting, and have placed the blame firmly at the feet of his brothers. Claude and Didier Anelka have advised him from his very beginnings at PSG, through to spells at Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Man City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton and now Chelsea.
"The stuff about my brothers is, how do you say, legend. I think it was said because I was young and I don't think people could believe that someone so young could decide they wanted to move. So they tried to suggest it was my two older brothers influencing me," insisted Anelka, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for a cool £15 million in January.
"But when I had to leave Paris Saint Germain and move to Arsenal, I made the decision.
"It was the same when I left Arsenal. You can ask Arsene Wenger. He came to me and asked me if I wanted to go to Real Madrid. I said I did. And my brothers were not there. Real Madrid was the biggest club in the world at the time and I wanted to move there.
"When Michael Owen went to Real Madrid it was okay. When David Beckham went to Real Madrid no one turned on him. But when I went it was like I had killed someone.
"And yet one year later Petit and Overmars went to Barcelona and nothing like that happened to them. And remember, Arsenal bought me for £500,000 and sold me for £23m. I don't think I did anything wrong.
Anelka went on to admit, however, that he might have made a few mistakes along the way, by opting for a change in challenge rather than allowing himself time to really feel comfortable at a club.
"I was very young at Arsenal and at Real Madrid and maybe I didn't realise the chance I had," he added.
"At that age you have nothing in your life to measure it against and you don't think so much about the future.
"It wasn't my intention to play for eight clubs in 10 years. I didn't want to move again and again and there were times when I wanted to stay where I was. Had Liverpool wanted to sign me on a permanent deal I think I would still be there."
Derek Wanner
Zico: Fener Won't Fear Chelsea
Fenerbahçe manager Arthur Zico says his side will be respectful and wary of Chelsea but certainly won't fear them. The Turks are aiming for a knock-out.
The two sides were drawn to face each other in the Champions League quarter-finals.
On paper Fenerbahçe were one of the easier opponents in the hat but Zico is determined to make Chelsea work hard.
Cup Shocks
Pointing to Chelsea's recent cup defeats against Tottenham and Barnsley he illustrated that favourties don't always win football matches, but nevertheless stressed that neither complacency nor awe would grip his side.
"What happened to Chelsea against Barnsley and Spurs won’t fool me because those results are typical of cup football in England," the Brazilian commented when asked if recent results made this an easy tie for the Turkish side.
“In fact, Chelsea will be hungrier for the Champions League now. But we won’t fear Chelsea one bit. Why would we be afraid of Chelsea after we have beaten Inter Milan?”
Home Advantage
The first leg of the tie will take place in Istanbul and Zico knows it is there, in a simmering atmosphere, that Fenerbahçe must make their mark. “We have yet to lose at home in Europe this season and that gives us great confidence.”
Jimmy James
Ballack: Let's Ignore The Media
Michael Ballack believes that Chelsea must ignore media reports and focus on what could yet be a very successful season.
Much of the issues that Chelsea would have expected to remain inside the team have come out of late, in particular the leaked reports a confrontation between John Terry and Henk Ten Cate, and the rather public playing out of Frank Lampard's contractual situation.
The Blues are very much back in the title race, and are favourites to make the last four of the Champions League for the fourth time in five years after being drawn against Fenerbahce.
However, the media reports - including constant speculation over Avram grant's future - could prove to be a hindrance, and Michael Ballack has called for everyone at the club to ignore that and focus on the season.
"That [dealing with the media] a big part of being a footballer today," he told Chelsea Magazine. "You can't expect your life to only be about football.
"The further you go in the game, dealing with the media becomes bigger and bigger, to the point where you're seeing your name in the paper or on TV everyday, and you need to be mentally strong to be able to deal with that."
Chelsea can pull to within two points of Arsenal if they can win Saturday's game against Sunderland and their game in hand. Of course they would be three adrift of Manchester United if the Red Devils win their two games. However, they must yet host both their title rivals, so it is all very much in their hands.
Neal Glew
