After a seven year stint at Stamford Bridge, it has been announced that veteran mid-fielder Joe Cole will be released by Chelsea FC upon the expiration of his contract. Cole’s contract expires July 1, 2010, at which time he will become a free agent. Although Chelsea had a successful year and became the seventh club to achieve The Double by winning the Premiere League and The Football Association Challenge Cup, Cole as an individual struggled.
Cole’s 2008-2009 season was cut short by surgery needed to repair cruciant ligament damage in the knee, which Cole suffered during an FA Cup game against Southend United. After missing the subsequent pre-season, Cole slowly transitioned back into the starting lineup, but struggled to regain form. In 2008-09 Cole had 19 total appearances for Chelsea, and scored 3 goals. In 2009-10, Cole had 38 total appearances resulting in just two goals. More importantly, it was visible that Cole was not as dominant of a transition player as he had always been.
Even though Cole’s season was somewhat disappointing based on his previous achievements, Chelsea’s decision to not renew his contract comes as a shock to many. Chelsea captain John Terry said he was “amazed” by the club’s decision to let Cole go after 183 appearances and expressed his concerns about such a choice.
"It still amazes me how the club have come to the conclusion of letting Joe go," Terry stated. "We are disappointed with him going.
Terry added: "He was a great boost for us, coming back from his injury, and it was the right for Chelsea for him to come back into the side. He got a great goal away from home at Manchester United, which proved to be vital [for Chelsea’s Premier League title]”
Terry concluded by saying: "Listen, Joe is one of the best players in our country. He has come back from an injury and showed great form for Chelsea."
Cole, who is currently in South Africa playing for the England national football team in the World Cup, has some interesting possibilities ahead of him. As a free transfer, his services are relatively affordable for many Premiership clubs, and a few teams have already expressed interest in acquiring Cole. The main clubs in the running for signing Cole are Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, and West Ham United.
While Cole is remaining mum on the issue until his contract officially expires, it is of note that he has a long personal history with West Ham United. Cole began in West Ham’s famed youth academy in 1994. Other famous West Ham academy products include: Frank Lampard Jr., Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Defoe, and Rio Ferdinand. Cole made his first-team debut for West Ham in 1998, and in total played nine years for the Hammers.
At West Ham, Cole was played a crucial role in the Hammers’ 1999 FA Youth Cup victory. He was also given the captain’s armband during the 2003 season by then manager Glenn Roeder. Cole’s spectacular season led to him winning the “Hammer of the Year” award for 2003. The team’s performance as a whole was not as grand, and Cole’s time at West Ham was cut short that very year when the team was relegated from the Premiership.
While his time at Chelsea may be done, Cole’s career is most certainly not. His most recent showings for his national team have shown a return to grace and form. He will be an asset to any team in the Premiership and Chelsea may soon agree with Terry in lamenting his release.
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