Football Transfer Update: Joe Cole- Liverpool's new man
Ever since it was announced, by Chelsea, that Joe Cole would be allowed to leave on a free transfer. A number of clubs, both in England and other European countries, have been linked with a possible move for the English International. The speculation has finally come to an end, as Liverpool announced that they have signed the former Chelsea man, who will sign a four year contract after a medical has been completed.
This is the first time Joe Cole has moved out of London, playing his football at West Ham before moving to Chelsea in the summer of 2003. At the time, Cole was one of a crop of West Ham players who were expected to light up the Premier League but with West Ham's relegation, the players had to be sold. An impressive dribbler, with a keen eye for the goal, Joe Cole is one of the few creative English players playing right now.
Under the Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, Joe Cole became one of the best players at Chelsea, and in the Premier League, leading to him being called up to the England squad. He scored a wonder goal against Sweden, at the 2006 World Cup and was thought to be one of England's finest players at the tournament.
Towards the end of Cole's career at Chelsea, his appearances were cut short due to a number of knee injuries. Contract negotiations broke down despite the Chelsea coach, Carlo Ancelotti, saying that he wanted to retain Cole. Apparently, his high wage demands, around 90’000 Pounds per week, were the reason that the Chelsea hierarchy eventually decided to let go of the Englishman.
Joe Cole's decision to move to Liverpool appears to be an odd one since he had offers from clubs such as Tottenham and Arsenal, both of whom could have offered him Champions League football. He has been accused of transferring to Liverpool purely on monetary considerations but that could be a little harsh, given the fact that Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in England and just because they don't have Champions League football next season does not diminish their status as one of the leading clubs in Europe.
Another interesting thing about Cole's move is how exactly new manager, Roy Hodgson, will fit him into the Liverpool line up. Cole has always maintained that his preferred position is in the center of the pack, a place Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard occupies at the moment. A place on the wing appears the most likely position for Cole, who never really managed to make the central spot his own at Chelsea either, where Frank Lampard dominated the position.
A positive outcome of the move for Cole would be the increased game time he will have at Liverpool. Since the squad is desperately lacking in quality, how can he not start every game, unlike at Chelsea where he had to deal with a place on the bench most of the time and even when he did start, he rarely finished the game on the pitch.
It remains to be seen how this move will turn out for Joe Cole but if he stays fit, he will contribute to the Liverpool cause and will prove to be a good signing.
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