By Phil McNulty Chief football writer in Baden-Baden

Cole has earned a regular place in England's starting line-up

Joe Cole is confident he is finally ready to make the transition from boy wonder to World Cup match-winner.

Cole was tipped for stardom from his early teens at West Ham, and is now fulfilling his potential for Chelsea and England.

He said ahead of Thursday's game with Trinidad and Tobago: "I have had to learn everything in the public eye under the scrutiny of everyone.

"But I never lost faith that I would eventually play at a World Cup."

The 24-year-old added: "There have always been expectations on me from a young age.

"People wanted me to be a world-class player when I was 17 or 18 years old.

"When I look back at how I was then, I was a stone lighter than I am now. I was basically still a boy and I had lots to learn in the game.

I just want to do something special Joe Cole

"I have had a lot of criticism, but I have always had faith in my ability and always, whatever has happened, just trained hard and tried to get better.

"And here I am. I am at the World Cup now and I just want to do something special, and hope the team can do something special.

"I listen to people like Jose Mourinho, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Glenn Roeder. People who I feel I can learn from.

"In football you can't please everyone and all you can do is learn from the people who you can think can make you better."

Cole is ready to come up against one of his early mentors when he faces Trinidad and Tobago's West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop.

He said: "I know Shaka well. Shaka was a diamond for me when I was coming through at West Ham. He used to look after me a lot. He was the top man.

"If you ask anyone in football about Shaka they will tell you he is a great guy.

"He made me feel welcome when I first joined the first team squad. I was pleased for him because he had a great game against Sweden.