The signing of Joe Cole from Chelsea on a free transfer last summer looked like a bargain for Liverpool, especially beating off potential interest from Tottenham and Arsenal for the England star. However after a sending off on his debut for the club and misfortune in injuries, he’s yet to shine in the Red jersey and with the likes of Newcastle United interested in the player’s services, would it be wise for the club to cash in on the player who has failed to live up to expectations or does the talented 29-year old deserve more of a chance at Anfield?
The player certainly has a lot of admirers from fans to players; with Steven Gerrard claiming that Cole is as good as Lionel Messi. At the World Cup last summer, England fans were demanding that Joe Cole saw more time on the pitch than on the bench but Fabio Capello showed he lacked faith in the player being a talisman in the first eleven. It is clear that Joe Cole has an abundance of talent and let’s not forget he played an integral role in Chelsea’s success in the last decade but the player is not the most consistent of performers. Although Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish commented on the player after he came on as a substitute against Sparta Prague on Thursday night :
“We have got to be patient with Joe. That is his first run out since I came here. We want to give him a bit of time and make sure he gets there. Form is temporary, class is permanent and that is where we stand with Joe”
It is important that Dalglish is showing faith in the player, something that was missing from the previous manager, Roy Hodgson but could it be a gamble? Hodgson is not the only manager who hasn’t favoured Cole, with his team work and lack of defensive qualities often cited. However, Cole is that typical talented attacking midfielder that gets played out of position. Whether on the left or right side of midfield, his best position is playing in the hole behind the striker but it’s that free role position that isn’t favoured by many managers in England.
Personally I’ve always been a fan of Joe Cole and believe if it wasn’t for injuries, he would’ve achieved even more in the game by now. But the former West Ham player will be turning 30 towards the end of this year and with his fitness in question you have to wonder if the player can make it back to the form we knew a few seasons ago. On the positive side, Dalglish is being patient and allowing the player enough time to get his match fitness back and eventually with more games under his belt for Liverpool we should all start to see the Joe Cole we all like to watch, or at least I hope we do.
The article was written by Matt_G-Freebody for FootballFancast.com. Make sure to check out the latest news, blogs and podcasts at FFC – ed.
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This week it is even more of former Liverpool WAG Amii Grove! ————– CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY –
SELL HIM, WAST OF TIME, WAGES AND FOR THE WAGES WE CAN SAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REST OF THE FOUR YEARS AND GIVE IT TO TURAN ,
erm slightly misleading that quote from stevie g. He actually meant that joe cole was better than messi at juggling a tennis ball .. gerrards own words.
Sell him. He’s a waste of space
Here we go…fans again showing their lack of patience for some of our players. Just months ago we were talking about how good a coup the club have pulled off, signing a player of Joe Cole’s calibre on a free transfer and now, we’re talking about selling him. He’s only played 11 league games for God’s sake and spent most of the time sitting on the bench even when he was fit with Roy preferring to play the likes of Ngog. Joe Cole is a fantastic player who can create chances and score goals out of nothing. If he can stay injury free, I’m pretty sure Kenny can bring the best out of him. Other midfielders like Meireles and Poulsen have been rejuvenated under King Kenny so why can’t the same happen to Joe Cole. Also, at 29 the guy still has a lot to offer. Maxi and Kuyt have been average at best out wide and there’s absolutely no doubt that Joe Cole can do a better job than them. Players like Maxi, Jovanovic and Ngog have been poor and they are the ones who should be sold, not Joe Cole cause on his day, he is a fantastic player.
I think he Should given a decent run of games to prove his worth. We could drop the anonymous Maxi and give the lad a chance. If he doesn’t produce, then sell him. Ther is however players at the club that should be sold first. I.E. Maxi, Jovanovic, Ngog, Aquilani, Darby, Mendy to name a few.
I rather think that we should have bitten the bullet in January and dispensed with his services ( even as a free-bee).
It is more than realistic to admit that he is no way going to prove any service to the club and quite frankly when he is playing is more reminiscent of Torres in showing a lack of any interest in his movement. He shows neither flair nor talent and would appear to be an emcumbrence on the staff costs. 29 or not this is NOT the Joe Cole we should be remembering and he is already displaying signs of being well well beyond his sell-by-date.
Joe Cole does n’t do as he is told ! But he would have been good to see him in the formation with 3 at the back it would of suited him running from midfield.It’s funny how we buy players then rubbish them then sell them at a lost great business sense!!! Babel,Mascherano(should of got more),Keane,Riera,
Arbeloa(robbed by Real) and now Aquilani who could be our Modric if we give him a chance.
i agree with eric and aj to a point, i do rate JC very highly HOWEVER, to give him a run of games in his preferred position would mean dispensing with either mereiles or new boy suarez (when carroll is back) and i don’t think his form can justify either change. personally i would like to see him given a run on the left wing, whether he prefers it or not!
I disagree with Steve Mc and Eric! Cole never impressed me when he was at Chelsea,apart from odd occasions,(he certainly did a bit of damage to the REDS at times!)but I was never enthralled with LFC taking him on,and would be happy to see him go.At his age it’s a waste of time trying to rehabilitate him.LFC need to move on with brighter prospects! They also need to build in Stanley Park and forget redevelopement the old Anfield! LOOK TO THE FUTURE with a new ground!
cole is a top player,he has had injury problems but is definateley a player worth waiting for.we need to be patient he will be a big player for us once he gets fit and gets a run in the team it would be a big mistake getting rid of him in my opinion.
Patience lads
A player brought in by C Purslow to carry favour with us (he fans).
Cole is an English football establishment darling that we are constantly told is the very best of English players out there.
Now I can argue until I’m blue in the face that Joe Cole has as much technical ability as any player out there, but, and it’s a big but, Joe did not seem to impress the likes of Mourinho, Ancelotti, Capello and even the disaster Hodgson, and I will give good odds that Kenny doesn’t use him much either.
Why? When we look at what previous managers have said about Joe it becomes quite clear that they question his tactical ability and his intelligence to play modern football. His tactical ability to understand where he should be on the pitch when attacking and defending, and his intelligence where he is required to understand what a manager wants of him.
Some quotes from previous managers Joe has played under
Jose mourinho said:
“He has a lot to learn,” said Mourinho. “I think he has two faces – one beautiful and one I don’t like. He must keep one and change the other one.”
“When he scored the game finished for him. After that I needed 11 players for my defensive organisation and I had just 10.
“Joe can be a regular but he has to improve when the team needs him to be part of a defensive organisation.”
Carlo Ancelotti said:
“Joe Cole is quicker than Benayoun but Yossi is better tactically. He understands what I tell him.”
I am fed up of the media drip feeding us about the qualities of individual English players while deriding their more gifted (technically, tactically and intelligent) foreign counterparts. I would sell him for whatever we can get, because a salary of £100,000.00 a week equates to £5 million a year. The longer he stays the more money we will lose.
Sadly, Joe is not intelligent enough to understand what is being asked of him. Which makes him an expensive mistake for us, and I personally would never have signed him.
Kenny can hardly say that Joe is a lost cause even if he thought it, any good manager is going to praise his players regardless, however, Joe is a quality player and the boss will get the best out of him….
Joe Cole is one of many players that should be got rid of in the summer. NESV will once more look for any transfers in in the summer to be generated from player sales and the lowering of the wage bill. Sell Jones,Darby,Degen,Irwin,Ayala,Konchesky,Insua,El Zhar,Kuyt,Maxi,Poulsen,Aquilani,Spearing,Cole,Jovanovic and Ngog. Promote Flanagan,Coady,Mavinga,Wisdom,Amoo,Ecclesston and Ngoo to next season’s Premier League squad. Liverpool should buy Adam,Ashley Young,Nzogbia and Rodallega. Dalglish needs to stop being cowardly in his team selections and substitute usuage like he was against Wigan and Sparta.
Cole has got to go not because this season has been awful but so were his last couple at Chelski, i think he is past it.
The side can bring in younger better talent on lower wages, and that is the clubs aim me thinks.
out.
joe cole.. ( 5 )
jovanovic.. ( 5 )
poulsen.. ( 3 )
elestone .. ( 2 )
aquilani .. ( 10 )
skertel .. ( 7 )
maxi .. ( 7 )
in.
marveaux LW ( 8 )
matuidi DM ( 8 )
taiwo LB ( 12 )
Livezzi striker ( 12 )
promotion
Raheem
Kelly
jonjo