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Tag: Joe Cole

  • Former Chelsea player, Joe Cole knocks Kepa after 2-0 loss to Real Madrid

    Former Chelsea player, Joe Cole knocks Kepa after 2-0 loss to Real Madrid

    Former Chelsea midfielder, Joe Cole has knocked goalie, Kepa Arrizabalaga, saying that he should justify the huge pay he’s being paid at Stamford Bridge.

    Karim Benzema and Marco Ascensio scored for the Galaticos to give them a massive two-goal advantage ahead of the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge,.

    Chelsea played with 10 men from the 59th minute of the game after Ben Chilwell was sent off. The Blues have failed to score a goal in their last four matches.

    But Cole is much more worried over goalkeeper Arrizabalaga.

    Cole told BT Sport: “I think Chelsea want to get around Kepa, whereas a top goalkeeper – like what we see with Thibaut Courtois [Real Madrid goalkeeper] – in those moments [claims the ball], that’s what you pay the big money for.

    “For me, when you’re defending a set-piece, especially in those situations, your goalkeeper [is vital] alongside the centre-halves. You’re down to 10 men at the Bernabeu, Thiago Silva is 38, he’s on his knees.

    “That’s when you need Kepa to go, ‘Right, you go there, you go there, you go there, we’ll deal with that and we’ll get in at 1-0!’

    “But there was none of that.”

  • Only Mourinho has had bigger impact at Chelsea – Joe Cole

    Only Mourinho has had bigger impact at Chelsea – Joe Cole

    Former Chelsea star Joe Cole admits he’s a big fan of manager Thomas Tuchel but insists Jose Mourinho had a bigger impact during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

    Champions League winner Tuchel marks one year in charge today.

    Cole, 40, told The Sun: “Barring Mourinho’s first spell, he has had the biggest impact of anyone managing Chelsea. He is universally loved and respected by everyone at the training ground.

    “He is a breath of fresh air. Winning the Champions League is an incredible achievement but it is also about the way he has come in.

    “Chelsea is a very successful club but it can be turbulent. A lot of managers can buckle under that pressure — even experienced ones.

    “But the way the players have responded to him has been great. You couldn’t have envisaged a better first year in charge. Thomas is a very smart man who recognised the quality players straight away.

    “But he also recognised the soul and style of the club; he understands the history of the club. He gets it.”

  • Lampard sacking most ruthless of Abramovich era – Cole

    Lampard sacking most ruthless of Abramovich era – Cole

    Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole says Frank Lampard’s sacking was the most ruthless of the Roman Abramovich era.

    Thomas Tuchel was appointed as manager on Tuesday, just 24 hours after Cole’s former team-mate was shown the door.

    Cole told Coral: “The sacking of Frank is the harshest of all the Chelsea managers which have been dismissed.

    “He has not had a bad spell in 18 months. I think it’s a mistake letting him go. Time will tell if I am right though.

    “I was at Chelsea for seven years and that seems to be the culture of the club. They have gone through managers very quickly.

    “Roman and his team will argue that since he took ownership, no club has won more trophies than Chelsea, and he is right there.

    “Logic tells you that you need stability. I thought Frank had that from the outside.

    “Let’s not forget he was bringing through the likes of Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham. Chelsea players through and through.

    “They possibly over-achieved last year. When you are blooding through that many young players, it is not easy. They finished well in the league and got to the FA Cup final.”

  • Former England, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole retires

    Former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, bringing the curtain down on a 20-year professional career.

    Cole, who turned 37, last week, made 716 appearances and scored 104 goals for seven clubs and completed his career with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second-tier United Soccer League.

    “After 20 years as a professional, the time has come for me to hang up my boots. It has been a dream comes true.

    “Whatever is next, I hope the next two decades are as special as my last 20 years as a professional I have been,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Cole went through West Ham United’s youth system.

    Cole made his debut at West Ham aged 17 and became club captain four years later.

    He was regarded by many as one of England’s brightest youth prospects due to his excellent dribbling skills and flair.

    He, however, joined Chelsea FC in 2003, one of a number of recruits brought in following the takeover of the club by Russian Roman Abramovich.

    Cole went on to win prestigious domestic honours at Chelsea, including three Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

    On the international stage, Cole was regarded as a member of England’s ‘golden generation’ which included the likes of Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand.

    He scored 10 goals in 56 appearances for the national side between 2001 and 2010, but never quite reached the potential he showed in his youth.

    Cole was often hindered by injuries throughout his career.

    He was selected for the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups, making his final England appearance at the latter tournament in South Africa.

    Cole’s career after leaving Chelsea in 2010 was limited to short uneventful spells at Liverpool, Lille, West Ham, Aston Villa and Coventry City before moving to the United States.

    Having enjoyed a short stint as player-assistant coach at the Rowdies, Cole now wishes to pursue a coaching career in the near-future.

    “I want to stay involved in the game. I feel I can offer a lot as a coach and have really enjoyed the opportunity to undertake some of these duties with the Rowdies.

    “To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine,” Cole said.

    Reuters/NAN