"You can't get higher in club football," said Chelsea FC midfielder Joe Cole as he looked ahead to Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United FC. Here he reveals just how big an achievement it is for the club to reach their first final, what it means to him and how he will prepare for the biggest game in his career so far.
Do you do anything differently in the build up to such a big match?
Joe Cole: It is just business as usual. I think the really important thing is not to get caught up in the hype. I don't think I'll talk much about it with my friends and family, I'll just go about my business, walk my dogs and all my usual stuff and just try not to think about it. I've been on the pitch against Man United many times in my career, just this time it holds a different significance. I'll try and do my best and I'm sure we won't let any of our fans down in Moscow. We know each other inside out the two teams so there is no need for any in-depth discussion about it. We just have to go out and play our games. We need to prepare right, do everything right, then if on the night if it's our night it’s our night.
Do Chelsea get the credit they deserve?
Joe Cole: We're not interested in credit we're interested in trophies. If we win the Champions League on Wednesday night it will be blinding and everyone will be happy. I'm not in the business to finish second, I want to finish first. It's first or nothing so for me on Wednesday if we win it's great, if we don't it's a long flight home.
What is Rio Ferdinand's biggest strength as a player?
Joe Cole: He's pretty much an all-round player, he has got everything. He does have a great tenacity to win in everything he does which I admire. He has pretty much got everything as a centre-half apart for a Champions League medal and hopefully he will still be waiting Wednesday night. He's a top player but Wednesday night there are no friends on the pitch. Afterwards we'll be mates again, no worries. Wednesday night it will be a war.
Do you think of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy?
Joe Cole: I think you do. It is something you dream of. You can imagine yourself lifting it and all the parties and everything that goes with it. It is the pinnacle of your career. You can't get higher in club football. It is the be all and end all so if we were to win it and climb the top of the mountain it would be a remarkable achievement for everyone at the club and the highlight of everyone's career. You have to just play the game and not the occasion just try and play your football and all you can do is your best.
Chelsea have won the Premier League in recent years and but this is the missing link…
Joe Cole: No, there is no link. The Champions League is the best, it is the top one and to win it is remarkable. We're not looking at it as part of the jigsaw, it is the jigsaw, it is the top dog. If we win it we will all be delighted we've reached the top of the mountain.
This interview appears in the latest edition of UEFA Champions League Weekly, the official television programme of the UEFA Champions League.
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