Joe Cole is convinced Chelsea have the Premiership rattled.

Ahead of this weekend's Carling Cup final, Cole declared: "If I were a Manchester United, Arsenal or Spurs player right now, I would be looking over my shoulder a bit concerned.

"In John and Frank, we've had our two most experienced players injured for two months and still we are snapping at their heels. And still the leaders have to come to Stamford Bridge and play.

"We are in a great position. This is it now. This is where the season starts to get serious - the business end. I totally discount what has happened before now. Only now is the time of action.

"The Champions League starts properly, the latter stages of the FA Cup, the Carling Cup final and the Premier League title race starts in earnest.

"The last three months is a countdown - but now you can almost see the finishing line. You can see the big games coming up.

"The Quadruple dream is still on. If we are going to do it, at least seven or eight players are going to have to play the best football of their careers."