Ashley Cole has spoken of his confidence that Chelsea can go all the way in the Champions League this year, saying that the Blues just need to ‘get lucky’ in the latter stages of the tournament.
The fact that Chelsea have never won the Champions League is one of owner Roman Abramovich’s frustrations of course and it appears his work at the club will not be done until they are Champions of Europe.
As for Cole, he has finished as a runner-up in the elite club competition in football, first with Arsenal in 2006 and then with Chelsea just two years later. This has added to his hunger to win the tournament though and he believes the current Chelsea team has what it takes to go one step further.
He said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play in two Champions League finals. And the first time I did that [with Arsenal] we got there because we had a lucky draw.”
“To get to the final I don’t think you have to be the best team – because you can get lucky.”
“Teams like Barcelona always seem to get easy games. And the further you get the more it’s down to luck of the draw really.”
“That’s why I’d always want to win the Premier League more – every season. To do that, you have to play all the teams week in, week out.
“Nothing is ever taken for granted and to be champions of England is always a great achievement.”
Andrew Villas-Boas’ men are of course well in the mix to challenge for the title in England this year. After three wins in succession in the league, they sit 3rd in the table, three points behind leaders Manchester United.
Their next focus in the Champions League though and they will be hoping for three points tomorrow evening when they host Genk at Stamford Bridge.
So far in Europe this year, Cole and his team-mates have defeated Bayer Leverkusen on home soil before drawing with Spanish club Valencia last time out.
They are heavy favourites with soccer betting pundits for victory tomorrow night though and as well as getting all three points, one of their main aims for the evening will be to get through without any injuries ahead of this weekend’s trip to Queens Park Rangers.
With every top team it is about competing across a variety of competitions of course and Chelsea are no different. So, although Cole may believe that success domestically rewards consistency, the Champions League is still a major part of their focus.
As ever, Abramovich will want success in England, but you do get the feeling that winning the Champions League would eclipse all else for the Russian billionaire.