Charlton Cole likes his loan

Not many players would be happy to leave Chelsea at the minute, but Carlton Cole packed his bags for Charlton without a second thought.

There is nothing wrong with Cole's ambition, or his stomach for the fight for a first-team place, and he has good reason to be pleased with his move across London. The England-U21 striker has been given a return ticket to Stamford Bridge.

Cole signed a one-year loan deal at The Valley on Wednesday but his longterm future remains at Chelsea. With four top-class strikers at Claudio Ranieri's disposal, and Hernan Crespo linked, the 19-year-old has not featured this season and is looking forward to the prospect of Premiership football.

Cole said: "It's the perfect move for me. I'm dead chuffed that I can stay at home with my family and play football in London.

"I don't see it as a step down at all. Charlton are a Premiership team and should have a good season, but my future is at Chelsea. There are too many strikers at Chelsea and the manager wants me to get some experience. He said he believed in me and I'll be ready for next season."

The chance to stay in London and the enthusiasm of Alan Curbishley convinced him to cross the capital.