Cole appears to be out of favour with Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, having struggled to rediscover his best form since returning to action in September after a serious knee injury. The attacking midfielder is regularly used as a substitute by Ancelotti and his place in the England squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa is seriously in doubt as a result. Zola, a playmaker - like Cole - who served Chelsea for seven distinguished years between 1996-2003, believes Cole needs games if he is to get back to his best. But the Italian, who will take charge of West Ham on Saturday when they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, has also warned Cole he needs to be more effective on the pitch when he does get a chance. "There must be a reason why he hasn't achieved his objectives," Zola said. "It is quite easy to get to a certain level. To make another step forward takes a lot. It requires a lot of work on your skills and sometimes it is not easy. "If flair players produce something good for the team they are always very much appreciated. If you are a flair player, everything you do is very spectacular. "But you have to make sure that you are spectacular and effective for the team. That's important. "Some flair players are spectacular but sometimes not effective for the team. Big players like (Lionel) Messi do both." Zola, who was voted as Chelsea's greatest-ever player in an online poll conducted by the Blues on their official website in 2003, is also well placed to comment on the recent headlines attracted by John Terry, the club's captain. Zola admits he speaks with Terry from time to time and is full of admiration for the way the centre-back has come through such a challenging period, during which he has lost the England armband for off-the-field reasons. Zola insists there was a special bond in the Chelsea squad during his time at Stamford Bridge and believes that has been in evidence during Terry's recent tribulations. "He has had problems but because he's a Chelsea player and a Chelsea legend, everybody is sticking by him and behind him," Zola said. "They know he's got problems and issues and from his point of view, it's great because he feels loved. Players really respond to that. "As a player, it's massive to go on the pitch and know you have support and backing. "The one thing good players have is that when they are under pressure, they perform. That is the bottom line." Terry's form has dipped in recent weeks and Chelsea looked fragile at the back in their last home league game - a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City a fortnight ago. With Petr Cech, and now his back-up Hilario, on the sidelines, Chelsea also have a goalkeeping crisis to contend with tomorrow and Zola has challenged his players to take full advantage. "They have great players but they are like everybody - they have faults," Zola said. "I believe that they (his players) know their weak points. Tomorrow we will see whether we have the strength to take advantage of those weaknesses."
