West Ham United academy chief Tony Carr says Chelsea need to make Joe Cole feel wanted if they want to get the best from the England midfielder.

Cole is expected to be offered a new deal by Chelsea before the end of the season. "Joe has always been and I'm sure he still is a player that wants to feel wanted," Carr told the Daily Express.

Having taken Cole to West Ham as an 11-year-old, Carr quickly spotted that for all the audacious tricks and flicks there was a sensitive soul who needed an arm around the shoulder and that has not changed.

"People think these top players have skin as thick as a rhino's and don't really care, but that's certainly not true in Joe's case," said Carr, who remains a friend of the Cole family. "Some players need to be told 'well done, you are part of my plans' and Joe has to know he is wanted and part of the club."