Cole cites English weakness

By Mandeep Sanghera

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H PSG v Chelsea Date: Tues, 14 September Venue: Parc de Princes, Paris Kick off: 1945 BST Latest team news

Joe Cole insists that English teams need to improve their passing game if they are to succeed in Europe.

Chelsea start their Champions League campaign at Paris St Germain on Tuesday and Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are also in the competition.

"I think we don't do well on the European and world stage because when you play against good teams you have to be able to keep the ball," said Cole.

"A lot of English teams play 4-4-2 and it is very difficult to keep the ball."

He added: "When you lose it, it is hard to get back because you've got no-one breaking in between the lines to keep on the ball. That's just my opinion.

"But football is evolving here and, obviously, with the foreigners who can play sitting in front of the back four and playing in the hole behind the strikers, I think it is easier to keep the ball.

"You see that with the way that we play at Chelsea. We keep the ball very well and that's what foreign clubs have been doing to us for the last 10-15 years."

We have got some big European players in our squad and there is nothing better than Champions League nights Joe Cole

England's failure to keep the ball cost them at Euro 2004 and Cole added: "Ever since I was playing for England from under-15s you play against good international sides and it would seem like they would have five or six players more than you in midfield.

"We're evolving. When we weren't in Europe we missed a lot and we have a lot to catch up."

Cole believes Chelsea are developing a range of styles that should help them succeed in Europe.

He added: "Every team has got their own personality and character.

"You see in our team we like to keep the ball, be patient and also we've got great pace in attack with Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman so we can play both styles.

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"I'm sure whoever the gaffer picks we are going to have a good performance on Tuesday.

"We have got some big European players in our squad and there is nothing better than Champions League nights. It's brilliant. You feel great going out there and playing in it.

"The main thing at Chelsea is we're developing a style and pattern of play and if we keep progressing the way we are we can do something this year."