So Glen, is Liverpool a good place to be injured... I mean play?
Football365 | All The News | Football News | JOE COLE SECURES LIVERPOOL MOVE
It is being widely reported that Joe Cole has, as bookies over the weekend surmised by closing down betting on the topic, signed with Liverpool. I can't say I'm thrilled about this outcome for either the player or Liverpool. Here are a few random thoughts strung together to form my overall reaction.
- He's just not that good - As we were reminded during the World Cup, the current crop of English players just aren't that great and this one could barely make his way into that group.
- Lamps-lite - We have all witnessed the futility that has been the Gerrard/Lampard partnership in midfield for England and Cole isn't as good as Lampard but he wants to play as an attacking midfielder in the middle of the park - don't we know how this is going to end?
- Faux-winger - what you say? He's not a central player but a winger? Just because a number of managers have tried and failed to play him there doesn't mean he's actually a winger. Is there any quality winger that he reminds you of?
- Other needs - While losing Benayoun is definitely a bummer, it seems to me that Liverpool have more pressing needs than a direct replacement. Shouldn't they be chasing another striker with that sort of salary? How about a left-sided defender? Maybe a central midfielder to finally start to replace Xavi Alonso?
- On the plus side - The fact that a player with choices wanted to go to Liverpool has to be seen as an endorsement of the Hodgson era and hopefully will help the club build some momentum. The fact that they didn't have to pay a transfer fee has to be seen as a big plus as well.
Still, here's hoping Joe Cole finally finds a regular starting spot so we can decide if he's really any good or not.
@Neal: The non transfer fee is the biggest plus out of this deal. No matter your evaluation of the player, he will find his spot in the team. Your right about his position however, but I feel he can still provide great support flanking Torres. As per the England selection and World Cup? If he had actually started I think England could have done a world better, Milner was completely ineffective on the flank against the USA, and is SWP really much better than Joe Cole? I dunno you can make arguments for both.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line, this is a great free signing for Liverpool and shows Torres and Gerrard that Hodgson will work hard to improve the squad. Top 4 this season just watch.
Torres is hurt, and his back up is N'Gog? Even in a 4-2-3-1, Liverpool now have JCole, Jovanovic, Babel, Gerrard, Aquilani, Maxi and yes, possibly even Riera (classic rehabilitated by the new manager who believes in him guy) fighting for the three advanced roles. Even if Gerrard drops deeper into midfield, is Cole a starter in front of Maxi, Jovanovic and Aquilani?
ReplyDeleteJust seems to me that LIV have other priorities. JCole is maybe a signing to excite the domestic fan base - oooh, England international... flair player, etc. Not to be too negative, but do you really think Torres is looking forward to playing alongside Cole?
Not being too negative, in fact your opinion is atleast not clouded by blind support (as I can do from time to time). I think your right about Joe Cole being a "oooh" "ahhh" signing for us fans. But if anything it raises the belief in our hearts that we can make a strong run for 4th.
ReplyDeleteDo I think Torres is looking forward to playing with Cole? Maybe maybe not, but I think his addition to the squad will be a boost for the whole team's morale because of the other options he had in Spurs/Arsenal, yet he chose Liverpool.
Joe Cole will have to prove he can beat out Aquaman, Maxi and Jovanovic, but I believe he has the skill to do it if he can keep himself fit and healthy.
Needless to say we must wait and see :D
BUT I am excited.
As a Chelsea fan, I'm sorry to see him go. He's a creative player. Even if he isn't great, he can still make things happen.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't like this move at all, J. Cole isn't that good now. He's such unstable, shouldn't rely on him, stupid deal...
ReplyDeleteI think it's ridiculous anybody is questioning his playing ability, the guy is top class he's proven it over the past what 12 years?! He was out injured for 10 months and suddenly he can't play? Come on. Great signing for Liverpool I'm confident he will be a huge success.
ReplyDelete@Harry - he's averaged 4 goals and 3.5 assists over the last 8 years. Tell me again about top class...
ReplyDeleteHis best season ever (done twice) was 8 goals, which if you look at least season would put him on par with Tim Cahill (not bad), Peter Crouch, Arune Dindane, Steven Fletcher, Ivan Klasnic, Matt Taylor, and Bobby Zamora. Of that group, I can't say I'd be lining up to call any of them huge additions to a team with Top 4 aspirations. Outside of Cahill it isn't a distinguished bunch and remember that was JCole's BEST year, not his average year.
Just saying, his reputation FAR out-strips his actual production on the field and he's been around long enough that this isn't a fluke.
blah blah blah, bottom line Liverpool needed a strong name to come in, and he was free. Fair deal I am excited.
ReplyDeleteWould you be saying this if Arsenal had signed him?
ReplyDeletenot sure £90,000+ a week is 'free'. on a four year deal. If he's injury prone now lets see him at 31... Risky move for a cash strapped club: deferring the cost or things you cannot afford until later. Remind me how that went for portsmouth? Also he said he was moving for football reasons as he wanted guaranteed playing time in a central position...so presumably he thinks he's displacing Gerrard...
ReplyDeleteHe is the type of player that will come in and play well for a few games, then go off the ball until people start to ask questions about his ability and then he will play a few more good games. Not a bad player but not a consistant player either.
ReplyDelete