“Liverpool Skipper Steven Gerrard convinced Joe Cole to sign” Roy Hodgson
The Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson, has revealed that the Reds skipper, Steven Gerrard, played the pivotal role in urging the English star Joe Cole to confirm the deal to become a part of Anfield.
This piece if information has shed light on a new angle that may confirm that Gerrard may ultimately be looking to stay at Liverpool after all. Hodgson has said that it was only because of the involvement by the 30-year old midfielder that free-agent after his period from Chelsea was signed.
The speculation about Gerrard staying at Liverpool has grown stronger after a couple of strong signings before the season which have given hope that Liverpool may not be as embarrassed this season as was expected. The current situation might mean that the 30-year old Liverpool loyal midfielder might have decided to keep on walking with Liverpool.
Sources have revealed that Gerrard and the Vice Captain of Liverpool, Jamie Carragher, spent a lot of time with England’s international player in order to convince him to play for Liverpool. They told him, after England’s disappointing campaign in the World Cup, Liverpool would be the ideal place for his rejuvenation.
His English team mates told him that as the Liverpool club was currently struggling it would be a great opportunity for the player to play for the club and bring it back to its former glory. The 28 year old player was barely played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but brought in as a substitute.
Hodgson expressed that Carragher and Gerrard were successful in persuading Cole to join the Merseyside, “Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard did a good job in selling the club to Joe at the recent World Cup. He was undecided about what he wanted to do and to be fair it takes a bit more selling to persuade a Londoner who has played all his life in London to move up to Liverpool”.
He stated that there were issues regarding him coming up to play in Liverpool, after all Cole is a Londoner and it is hard for a Londoner to move away. He said that a simple answer to the problem was that Cole could still live in London.
Reports have confirmed that Cole has been signed for a four year deal but the final papers will be signed after Cole gives in his medical exam to Liverpool. In order to do that, Cole is travelling to Switzerland where the current camp of Liverpool resides.
While talking to media, Hodgson exuberantly announced, “I am pleased to get the player because it is very important to try to improve our squad as much as we can in order to reach the high goals we have set ourselves”.
He also commented on the review of the fans saying that he was happy with their response, “It is also pleasing that the reaction of the fans has been as positive as our reaction, so at the moment that is perfect”. He then added, “Now it is up to Joe to show on the field he is the right man”.
The 32-year old Carragher stated that he felt the signing of Cole proved that Liverpool was fighting their way back up to their former glory. Though the club finished 7th in EPL they were looking forward to pouncing into action.
Carragher relayed, “It's great news and it is a message that Liverpool mean business. We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea. 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”.
He exclaimed that he had the same level of joy as the fans. He also stated that it was the perfect motivational tool needed before the season. Carragher expressed, “It’s good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It's the kind of signing that we needed to make”.
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