Liverpool have added Chelsea's Joe Cole to their arsenal for the 2010-11 season of the Premier League. We take a look at the English mid-fielder's career.
West Ham
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A product of the famed West Ham Academy, Joe Cole burst into the scene at 18 years old with huge potential. He spent the next five years with the Hammers where he became their most important player. By the age of 21 he was the captain of West Ham United. After 126 games for the London club he became one of the first recruits of the ‘Roman Revolution’ at Chelsea.
Chelsea
Early in his Chelsea career, Cole found it hard to cement his place as a first team regular. But in his first season under Jose Mourinho he started to make a bigger impact on the team; scoring 10 goals on his way to his first Premier League medal. After two years at Stamford Bridge, he finally established his place in the side in another title winning season at Chelsea scoring a popular goal in a game against title rivals - Manchester United. An injury ravaged start to the 2006-07 campaign delayed his return until the business end of the season. He won his first FA Cup medal that year playing in the final against Manchester United.
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Another bout of injury in January 2009 ruled him out for long. He finally marked his return in September of that year under new boss Carlo Ancelotti. With Cole fit again, Chelsea ended on a high winning the League and FA Cup ‘double’ and breaking Manchester United’s three year stranglehold of the Premier League. He scored the opening goal at Old Trafford with a deft back heel in a title deciding game which Chelsea won. His contract with Chelsea expired on 30 June 2010, making him a free agent. Chelsea denied him another contract which meant he had to look elsewhere.
Liverpool
Several parties were interested in his services. Harry Redknapp was keen to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur and Champions League football. Their North London rivals- Arsenal were also touted as potential buyers along with Manchester United. However with their policy of grooming their present group of young players meant both clubs pulled out of the race to sign the 28-year old.
With Roy Hodgson’s appointment at Liverpool as the new manager and the departure of Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea it became evident where Cole would go. On 19th July he signed for Liverpool and was handed the famous No. 7 Jersey for the Reds.
Cole has now entered the final frontier of his career. At Liverpool, he will be guaranteed more playing time as well as still playing for a traditionally big club. As a Premier League winner he also brings a much needed experience at the Anfield Club that should see them challenging for honours again. He will also be eager to win back his England place too after falling down in Capello’s pecking order. His addition also means that Liverpool have gone English for the second time in the transfer market after acquiring the services of young Jonjo Shelvey. Liverpool are rebuilding and Cole’s signing is a positive step in that direction.