Scott parked as Cole accelerates past him
It would be fair to say that when Scott Parker was at Charlton his progress, his career and his England opportunities were ahead of the then sparingly used Chelsea squad player Joe Cole.
With the arrival of Jose Mourinho in the summer both Cole and Parker lined up with other big named signings and were given a fresh start by a manager with new ideas. Seven months later Parker's season has been a non-event whilst Joe Cole's has been a revelation, prospering under the influence of Mourinho.
Today in
England's emphatic win against N. Ireland Cole ran the show for England, with bursting confidence he was involved in everything and scored the all important first goal.
Joe Cole would always win first prize in any keepy-uppy competition but his fitness was suspect as was his overall application in games, often being anonymous. Mourinho has brought the very best out of the boy born in Islington.
What of the boy born in Lambeth? Well, who knows what the summer will bring.