Liverpool swoop for Cole

England midfielder makes Anfield switch

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 19th July 2010  

Liverpool swoop for Cole

Cole: Four-year Liverpool deal

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Liverpool have swooped to secure the services of England international Joe Cole on a four-year deal, subject to a medical.

The talented midfielder became a free agent at the start of the month when his contract with Chelsea expired with the Blues electing not to extend his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.

New Reds boss Roy Hodgson claimed at the weekend that he had not held talks with the former West Ham player, but the deal has now been concluded.

Cole moved to Chelsea from Upton Park in a £6.6million switch in the summer of 2003 but was shown the door with the Blues not willing to meet his wage demands.

The 28-year-old has three Premier League winners' medals to show from his time in West London and also helped Chelsea to two FA Cup successes.

Creative

Cole was part of Fabio Capello's England squad for the dismal World Cup display in South Africa this summer but was restricted to a bit-part role as the Three Lions crashed out in the second round with a 4-1 humbling by Germany.

Hodgson will hope Cole's ability to unlock defences will help the Reds climb back into the UEFA Champions League reckoning following their disappointing seventh-place finish last term.

The creative Cole has rejected advances from rival Premier League teams - including those who could offer Champions League football this season - to compete in the Europa League with the Reds.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Liverpool FC are delighted to confirm the signing of Joe Cole on a four-year deal.

"The England midfielder has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours."

Comments (179)

Robert Sefton says...

I can take criticism off United fans, they are a hugely successful team with a long history (eventhough I hate to admit!). I can also to an extent take criticism off Chelsea fans with their recent success, but Tottenham supporters? Are you having a laugh? Your team was fighting relegation 2 seasons ago! You aren't even in the Champions League yet but if you do qualify this is the first time in a long long time and odds on will be a one season occurrence! You're forgetting that we've been in it consistently for years, including winning it 5 years ago. We are a hugely world famous club, not a team which had one okay season. In fact I also believe we had a better team than you and Aston Villa last season, we were just set up wrong and not motivated! Amazing how cocky you supporters have gone, see if you're still so cocky at the end of the season because I seriously doubt you will be able to hang on to fourth. Really funny supporters, but as I said if your used to mediocrity and fighting for relegation then you can be easily pleased. Just do us a favour and win a cup first and then brag.

Posted 22:09 21st July 2010

James Dusauzay (Liverpool fan) says...

This is my first blog ever. I can't take anymore. You Tottenham fans make me laugh, suddenly there seem to be more so called Tottenham supporters, your so happy that your in champions league, your going on like you have won it. Remember liverpool are 5 times winners, how many times have tottenham you won it... let me think ... oh yeah NEVER!. Thats a wasted champions league spot, Tottenham are not even going to get past the first group stage. Joe Cole came to Liverpool because Liverpool are a bigger club and he knows we will be straight back up there. I live down the road from Tottenham, i remember them advertising for fans in seven sisters tube station lol, would a so called club do that. I think not. People seem to forget Liverpool had 8 first team players injured for most of the season. People are going to have write engraved apollogies for doubting Liverpool. EL NINO Brrrrrap

Posted 20:23 21st July 2010

James O'hagan (Arsenal fan) says...

In my opinion I think ALL Man u, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool fans 'initially wanted' Joe Cole to sign for their clubs as soon as they heard he was a free agent. Despite his wages, its a good signing considering it was a free transfer. I myself said sign him up for Arsenal despite the fact our midfield has many options. I do think Joe went for the money, but I also believe he went for 1st team football as well which he will get up north. It was the 'complete package' for him shall we say. Liverpool should never have let Alonso go, well dome Raffa, that in my opinion fueled Liverpools abysmal season with Gerrard not playing further up the pitch which is where he is best at. Which makes me think, if Torres and Gerrard are both fit, will all 3 of them play down the middle? How will that work? Joe Cole wants to play centrally, not on the wing to cross balls in the box. Gerrard is the same and Torres is up top, straight down the middle just like Owen used to. I dont know what Roy's system is going to be but I am very interested. I also believe/hope Liverpool will be back in the top 4. Money Citeh have more money than sense so forget about their money driven players (Adebayor for example... PANTS!). Do Spurs have the consistency to remain in the top 4? Getting there is the easy part, its staying up there every season thats the hard part. Overall in my opinion, Joe Cole is an excellent signing for Liverpool, he is creative which is what Liverpool need right now, I hope to see him back to his best after having injuries at Chelsea. Just give him time and I'm sure he will do the business for Liverpool. Also, can't wait for the Premiership to start! As an Arsenal fan im predicting that if RVP stays fit all season, we will win the league : ) COME ON ARSENAL! P.S. I'll see you scousers on the opening day of the season ; )

Posted 16:26 21st July 2010

Neil Grant (Liverpool fan) says...

Cole at 90000 per week aged for free 28 versus Benayoun at 80000 per week aged 30 plus 7 million paid by Chelski both on four year contracts guess who is happier with the swop. if Joe was such a bad player why did Harry try so hard to resign him as he gave him his break at West Ham. i know all LFC supporters will be pleased with the swop and we look forward to Stevie and Joe doing each week what England fans were demanding at the world cup that they play together. Joe Cole for England in Brazil in 2014

Posted 15:43 21st July 2010

Zepp J says...

I never knew Spurs had this many fans. Lol! I think all the spurs fans in the world have commented in this column.

Posted 14:50 21st July 2010

Dean Moore says...

I'm just a bit surprised at the person who claimed Hodgson is not a good manager. Would a bad manager be able to take Fulham to the Europa League final? DON'T THINK SO. As for Joe Cole going to Liverpool, I think it's a great signing, a good replacement for Benayoun. I think that he went there on the basis that Liverpool are a bigger club than Tottenham and are more likely to win things in the future (and perhaps the money). If the club can hang onto Torres and Gerro, then i can see them returning to the top 4.

Posted 14:27 21st July 2010

Grant Mcgowan says...

Oh Dear Joe what have you done face you knew your going months ago when you could get back into the 1st team at Chelsea.Money is what you need as you finish your career good servant for Chelsea not so sure you will see much more than the treatment table.Its a shame really as you are a born and bred Chelsea Boy.

Posted 13:35 21st July 2010

Brian Farquhar (Arsenal fan) says...

Good luck to the lad. However to say he has not done it for money, is too obvious. Spurs offered 60k,Arsenal offered 80K. Liverpool 90K. suppose he has to keep the lady in the luxury that she is used too. He has been a very good player, unfortunately he has no left foot only the one he stands on. If you look at his play he has to always cut in from the left and never goes past on the outside. He will enjoy the Europa League.

Posted 12:10 21st July 2010

Gary Moore (Chelsea fan) says...

Such a shame Joe has gone, as once he was a great player and a decent person. Just goes to show how disloyal the modern day footballer is. Treble winners if you included the community shield, Champs League football, a club right at the top of its game. The fact is he left purly for the money. Chelsea offered him 80K a week for god sake and this is still not enough? I hope he leaves knowing he robbed the club and the fans and then left. We showed nothing but faith in him when he spent over 9 months out the game, paying his wages to sit in a physio room doing nothing. I had nothing but respect for Joe but not any more, thats not how to treat the club and the fans, he was adored here. He will regret this decision for the rest of his career.

Posted 11:18 21st July 2010

John Willson (Leeds United fan) says...

As a Leeds fan i have to say.... Great signing! Those who say otherwise are just jealous. The whole of England was praying for Capello to start him in the world cup which says a lot about his ability..... Maybe a few sour grapes from opposing fans?

Posted 08:27 21st July 2010

Matthew Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

If Cole is so good then why didn't moneybags Manchester City step in and offer him the 120 grand a week Chelsea refused to pay? For the same reason we wisely passed on him, because he's not even worth the 90 grand the Reds are paying now. Bennayoun will score more goals for Chelsea than Cole will for Liverpool and he'll be right up there for assists too. Spurs fans: keep up your gloating about the CL, you're dogsmeat this season. To be respected in that competition you need to qualify year in year out like us and you haven't even scratched the surface yet. Deluded, just like the Scousers.

Posted 00:13 21st July 2010

James Harper (Manchester City fan) says...

Although I've never thought Cole has lived up to his reputation, and never will, I still think he's a good player and a good deal for Liverpool. What prompted me to write this comment is all the utd fans trying to say Cole is rubbish, some even say that Fergie decided against him. Let me tell you utd fans that old purple would have loved to have signed Cole, but you simply couldnt afford him. Also, he would have been utd's best midfielder if you had the money to buy him... so dont lie to yourselves!!! I haven't heard you guys harping on about the £80m from Ronaldo you all foolishly thought you still had for many months after he left... have you realised you dont have it anymore now? hahaha!

Posted 23:46 20th July 2010

John Pearson (Celtic fan) says...

Joe Cole played 122 games for Chelsea in 7 seasons whereas Lampard has played over 350 in the same time. Liverpool can look forward to approx 70 games with Cole in the team, over the length of his contract,if he follows his old track record. Approx cost £300K per game.

Posted 23:43 20th July 2010

Michael C says...

I would have liked to see Joe at the Emirates as i think he would have fitted in well with our style of play. I dont think Wenger would have offered him a 4 year contract though maybe 3 at best , and certainly not 90 odd K a week. That said if he stays injury free he will be a good addition to the Pool and hopefully they can have a better season. Still not sure he has gone just on footballing reasons as stated after the world cup but i wish him well all the same, hes a footballer like gazza and will give 100% wherever he is.

Posted 21:45 20th July 2010

Jezza Jezza (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Just seen the sky "poll" re who will win premiership and it shows 18% for Liverpool......oh dear.....just because they have signed cole all the liverpool supporters think they will win premiership....one player does not make a team, you need a squad and last season showed that Liverpool do not have the squad..rate Roy as a manager but even God could not change Liverpools fortune now...sorry to say but mid table for a good few seasons now, and maybe win a cup of some sort...

Posted 20:57 20th July 2010

Joe Murphy says...

He opted for Liverpool over Spurs knowing that the only taste of champions league football Spurs will experience will be the two qualifying games, then its back to scraping for a 10th place finish in the prem , whereas Liverpool will be back in the top 4 positions for years to come!!

Posted 20:46 20th July 2010

Nick G (Sunderland fan) says...

Joe Cole has lost the spark he once possessed and Chelsea won¿t lose any sleep on his departure. Just wait till the money clubs start buying players in their drive to win the season¿s Premiership title. Liverpool have no chance of winning the title, but Steven Gerrard can help another club with far better players to mount a serious challenge.

Posted 13:23 20th July 2010

Paul Powell (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

The only reason Joe Cole has gone there is because he is guaranteed to play, although surely if you are a good player then you would be able to play at any club. As a spurs fan I honestly dont think it would have worked out as Cole and Modric are to similar and would upset the balance of the team. I hope Joe revitalises Liverpool (not at our expense though) as they were very poor last year.

Posted 13:16 20th July 2010

Andy H (Liverpool fan) says...

To all these so called football fans who are criticising liverpool for getting Joe Cole. What the heck are you all talking about. Joe Cole is quality. Simple as. During the world cup all you fans were calling for Joe Cole to be played and now all of a sudden hes a bad player whos just signed for liverpool for the money. Get a life. He wouldnt of played for Chelsea for 7 years if he was a poor player. Jealousy is a real bitch for all you Spurs fans. Its quite simple why he signed for Liverpool. He wants to play for a big club. Lets just wait and see what next season brings

Posted 12:28 20th July 2010

Justin Densham (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I am a very honest Spurs fan and always am objective. I for one think Cole would have been a good addidition to our SQUAD but ultimately feel that in Modric at 5 years his junior and Kranjcar we have the flair that we need at the club along with Lennon Rose Bale etc I just wonder where he would have fitted in as he wanted guaranteed 1st team footy. I think the right choice for him was Liverpool as he will get what he wants and Hodgson had to make a marquee signing to stamp his authority on the club. They are a club wjo fininshed 7th in the league and will struggle to make it back into that top 4 as i think Spurs will struggle to stay there also. It is a gamble for Cole as he might never play champions league in the 4 years he is there but if he is prepared to take that risk fair play to him. i feel he priced himself out of a move to Arsenal or Man Utd if the reports are true of his demands. Good luck to him he seems a genuine chap and i think if liverpool buy another 7 players they may turn their fortunes around.

Posted 12:17 20th July 2010

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