The 21-year-old, currently on a season long loan at Aston Villa, has struggled to find the kind of form that has made him an England regular at Under-21 level.
Cole has scored only twice since switching clubs on loan, from Charlton Athletic to Aston Villa in late August 2004. However, Villa would be helpless to hold on to Cole because of a clause in the player’s current contract.
Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe were luckless against Chelsea last weekend. Neither forward was given a sniff during the club’s first defeat in nine games. Defoe, back in contract talks at Tottenham last week, was denied the space whenever he took up his favourite position of ball at feet and back to goal.
Martin Jol even decided to push Ledley King into attack in search of an equaliser towards the end. Tottenham’s new club captain was unable to make up for the disappointment of inadvertently conceding Frank Lampard’s first half spot-kick. The Chelsea midfielder scored again right at the end - this time from open play, to secure the three points for Jose Mourinho’s side.