Joe Cole can make the difference for England says Shearer
Former England striker Alan Shearer believes Joe Cole can make the difference if allowed to start against Algeria in the Three Lions next game.
The out of favour Chelsea winger missed the 1-1 draw against the USA that brought condemnation of the England side, following a dreary display.
With James Milner finding it difficult to get back to full fitness, a place has emerged for someone to fill and Shearer believes Cole's creativity could make the difference to England’s performance in the penultimate Group C match.
" Milner was a disappointment against the USA, but his time will come. For me Joe Cole should have started on the left, or come on when Milner was substituted," said Shearer. To win a World Cup, you need players who can do something different, whether it be a bit of skill, a dribble to beat two or three men or something out of the ordinary. That's what Joe Cole provides and I really hope he starts tomorrow.
"I would also have Gareth Barry straight back in the team now that he's recovered from injury. With him and Lampard in the middle and Lennon and Cole on the flanks, this would allow Gerrard to play off Rooney.
"We need Gerrard in that Messi role, just off the striker, and I think this is the way we should go. Overall I've really enjoyed the tournament so far and the atmosphere has been incredible."
Meanwhile crocked Manchester United skipper Rio Ferdinand has pleaded with his England colleagues to go and win the World Cup without him, following his absence through injury.
But the player who had hoped to lead the Three Lions to World Cup glory this summer is convinced that Fabio Capello's team have every possibility of winning the competition, ahead of their clash with Algeria in Cape Town.
"We still have a great chance of winning the World Cup." Said the defender.
"No team can claim to be the outright favourites. There is no one who scares us. I'm sure we'll beat Algeria.
"I've played with these players for years and know how good they are.
"The likes of Lamps Frank Lampard, Stevie Gerrard and Wayne Rooney all know what it's about and they are desperate to do well for England."
Ferdinand was far from dejected, by the Three Lions' opening stalemate against the United States in Rustenburg.
"Everyone is now into the tournament and we can maybe relax and play the way we know we can," he added.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp insists that Brazil are “over-rated” and agrees with Ferdinand that England will never have a better opportunity of achieving World Cup glory.
Brazil are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy following Spain’s astonishing defeat against Switzerland in their opening game.
However, Redknapp believes that England have a better-equipped side to win the World Cup in South Africa.
Redknapp said,” We’re never going to get a better opportunity to win the World Cup. We’ve got good players, this is our time, and this is our chance.”
“I remember the 1970 World Cup where you looked at Brazil in the first round and thought: ‘oh, my God'. You’ve never seen football like it. It was incredible.
“England had a great side that year. The Germans were strong that year. But if you look at it, you go: ‘hang on, who is playing well?’
The Spurs boss considers that some of Brazil’s top players are not good enough to be successful in the Premier League and that the team is spoken of too affectionately.
“We over-rate Brazil. We all think Brazil are so fantastic. But Elano couldn’t cut it in England. Robinho at Manchester City, they dropped him in the end.
“Gilberto [Silva] was a great player at Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger felt it was time to move him on. Gilberto, the former Tottenham left back, is in the squad. I think he played two games at Tottenham.
“We sometimes over-rate these people and I think we’ve got as good a group as anybody and it’s a great chance for us.”
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