Carragher Hails Cole Deal
Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has hailed Joe Cole's move to the club as a master stroke ahead of the new Premier League season.
Liverpool fought off the challenge of many other clubs who were said to be interested in signing Cole ahead of the new season. He becomes Roy Hodgson's first signing as manager and the experienced defender has called it a good bit of business.
Cole became a free agent when he failed to agree a new contract at his former side Chelsea. It is thought that Liverpool may have worked out a deal with him a while ago but the player obviously couldn't confirm it as he was playing for England at the World Cup.
There are a number of benefits for Liverpool in this move and it will also help Cole to stay in Fabio Capello's England thoughts. However, Liverpool must continue to work hard in order to bring in other players who will increase their chances of success.
Benefits
Cole will arrive at the club a very hungry and ambitious player. He did not figure so much for Chelsea last season because he was injured. He also played a much smaller part for England at the World Cup than he may have been expecting.
Therefore, he will be chomping at the bit to try and make an impression at his new club and prove that he still has what it takes to make it in the Premier League, Europe and at international level.
His experience will be key and something that will help him settle in at the club. He moved from West Ham United to Chelsea and then played a lot of games for the current Premier League champions. He can use this experience to play well and help other members of the team.
Carragher said: "A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come here. Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same — it's given everyone a boost, just at the right time."
Continuation
Liverpool have to continue to work hard over the close season and pre-season campaigns because they are still short of one or two players despite this news. Fernando Torres could still leave the club and Liverpool will be looking to do much better than the seventh place position that they end last season in.
Positive signings must keep arriving and Hodgson will have to quickly identify two or three more players that he wants to bring in. He will not have all of the time in the world because the transfer window will soon close and Liverpool need to be in good shape before this point.
Advice
Liverpool will be very hard pushed to win the Premier League next season. Other clubs have much larger and better squads that will be able to maintain consistency over the course of the season.
The better option is to back Liverpool to get their Champions League spot back. They are capable of doing this and it will be important for them to do so if they want to move back up another level.
Cole is a good candidate to pop up with the odd goal but you could wait a few matches to see how he fits in Liverpool's plans. If he looks in form then he could become a prolific goal scoring midfield player.
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