Bringing back Joe Cole to Anfield may divide some supporters, but it will be a good move for Brendan Rodgers to make.
“Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do, Joe can do as well if not better.” – Steven Gerrard, 2010.
If you told Liverpool fans they could sign a 30-year-old who has won the Premier League three times, a player hailed as one of the most gifted of his generation, for free – they would snap your hand off.
Tell them you are talking about Joe Cole, and suddenly groans and cries of thanks but no thanks fill the air. It looks like he is going to get a chance to prove people wrong.
Two years after Cole first signed for Liverpool – he is aiming for a new lease of life and Anfield, being invited back into the fold to play a part under Brendan Rodgers.
His management at loan club Lille told French television that Cole would be returning to Liverpool where he is wanted by the new management. Cole recently told Sky Sports that he has every intention of having a second attempt at Liverpool, so while we await confirmation from club and player, it appears to be very much decided.
Make no mistake, it will prove to be a good move by Rodgers; Cole is talented and highly motivated and will be keen to impress.
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If you are in any doubt as to if Cole will be a success, simply look at Brendan Rodgers’ season just gone with Swansea City.
Rodgers got the very best out of Leon Britton, Joe Allen and Nathan Dyer, players previously not so highly regarded, now they are stars in their own right. It sounds simplistic to say, but just think of the results and good football he can achieve with the technically gifted Cole at his disposal.
Cole played a variety of positions for Lille last season during his 38 appearances, mainly playing on the right forward position in a 4-3-3 or as a central attacking midfielder. He played not so frequently, but also on the left, a position he has previously excelled in for England.
Cole gives Rodgers options. His time in France will have improved him as a player, and it is entirely right to say Liverpool could have done with him last season.
However we must also look at his 2010-11 season at Liverpool, in which Steven Gerrard tipped him to go on and become ‘Player of the Year’ – an ill-fated a prediction as any. Cole turned out to be the flop of the season, unable to fit into Liverpool’s playing style and stamp his authority on games.
He had a nightmare start, sent off on his debut against Arsenal, banned for the next three games. After that he became almost too-keen to overcompensate, trying hard yet failing to impress.
Roy Hodgson was soon sacked, and Kenny Dalglish quickly decided he preferred other players, leaving Cole to spend most of his kicking his heels on the substitutes bench. Playing regular football with Lille was clearly a better alternative than benchwarming for a season, especially after Dalglish spent millions on Henderson, Adam and Downing.
With that experiment well and truly failed, now is the time for Cole to step back and have another crack at it with Liverpool.
He made just 20 appearances in the Premier League for the Reds under two managers, far too brief to judge such a talent on. At 30 he has at least four years at the top ahead, and Liverpool would be mistaken to let him go without giving him a second chance.
Cole is willing to work hard to fit into any system Rodgers imposes, and has the experience and technical edge over midfielders like Adam and Henderson. Kuyt’s departure is also one less obstacle to a first team place.
Next season can be a good one for Cole and Liverpool, if he gets off to the right start, and fits into Rodgers’ formation and plans, he will have a part to play whether it be starting or using his experience off the bench.
Will Cole set Anfield alight next year or is it a mistake to bring him back?
image: © k1ngk0ng
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