Joe is your number one

Last updated : 09 May 2008 By Paul Lagan

Joe Cole has being named Chelsea's player of the year.
The England midfielder snapped up his gong at the club's awards dinner last night.
Joe, 26, signed in 2003 for the Blues from West Ham and he said:"I'm happy but I'd like to thank the fans for voting for me, and also I want to be better next year.
"I want to start the season well and improve. The boys, I love all of them, and every day it is a joy to go in and train. The Chelsea boys have made me the player I am, and I have learned from all of them.

"At the start of the season I still had the hangover from the injuries I had, so to win this award is a great achievement, because there were doubts in my mind that I would ever get back to playing at the top level.

"I was playing with a lot of pain, but now I'm back. I've never started a season with Chelsea, having played the first few games and started. I know it is a bit premature to be talking about next year but if I can start the season and go from there I think I could take another step up.

"It's always been great here, and I still strive to get better and become a better player for Chelsea and Chelsea fans. I'm delighted to be here and hopefully I can stay for the rest of my career."

Congrats Joe.