14 Jun 2012

Reds Legend tells Rodgers: Dump this 'slow' and ineffective LFC star. Harsh?

Joe Cole's loan spell at Lille has now ended, and it looks like the midfielder will be back at Anfield next season. According to Lille coach Rudi Garcia, "The new staff [at Liverpool] have decided to keep him", but is this such a good idea? Steve Nicol doesn't think so, and he's urged Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to think twice about bringing Cole back to the club.

Speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, Nicol was asked whether Rodgers was making the right decision in bringing Cole back to Liverpool. He said:

"Joe was at his best maybe four years ago, and I think the reason Liverpool let him go is that he's a bit slow now doesn't have that extra yard in his legs anymore.

"He can't get away from anybody, and he can't hurt anyone going forward".


I tend to agree with Nicol here - Cole is way past his best now, and he's just a drain on the wage bill.

Granted, Brendan Rodgers knows him from his time at Chelsea, and he may be suited to a quick-passing game, but Liverpool can do better, and given Cole's age, it's not like he's going to be part of the club's future.

Additionally, Cole went through a couple of long barren spells in France:

* January - May: 1 goal/1 assist in 20 games
* October '11 - December '11: No goals/assists in 10 games

The club already has enough non-prolific attacking midfielders; no need for any more, surely?



Jaimie Kanwar


54 comments:

  1. How can I disagree? Cole would be useful as a backup, but it would not justify his wages. Either loan him out somewhere, or better yet, sell him!
    I think WestHam would stump up a modest fee?

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  2. If he could not keep his place in while on loan in the less demanding French league how effective is he really going to be in the prem? I would rather see one of the reserves given a shot instead to be honest.

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  3. We need to get rid of him, the problem is, as with many an LFC cast off, who has a fat contract is, the players know that the next contract will be for much less money. Cole is not going to push for a move, thus negating his contract, however, if rodgers is smart, cole will be 'kept' for now, but rarely get a game. Hopefully, after 6 months or so, Cole will decide he wants to play and push for a move. What is more likely , as we've seen with city's cast off's is, that cole will linger about as long as possible getting his 90k a week for doing sweet FA. 
    Adam probably comes into the same category as this(once he discovers he's not part of rodgers plans).
    cole barely cut it in france, he was dropped for the last third of the season for payet. if he can't cut it there, forget the faster paced EPL.
    The sooner we have cleared out the mistakes left by old regiemes and managers, the better. On that list is -cole, aqua, adam, downing? carroll? henderson? 

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  4. Was a good player in his prime but sadly thats gone, could be useful to some other team but if we want to return to the top, his wages must be spent on someone younger,quicker and skilful.
    I actually like him thought he was a goer, what ever happens good luck to him.

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  5. Joe Cole was a good player, now I think he more of an average level. He is on 90K and week (don't quote me on this, read it somewhere) and is not the attacking threat Liverpool need or crave.

    He should be shipped out. Nice guy I'm sure, but purely for footballing reasons.

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  6. Hey Jamie whats the story with Tello? is there any chance of him coming to Anfield? I read in Sports Vibe Baca want 7mill is it true or just rubbish, because at that price that would be a bargain. 

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  7. I think Steve Nicol has too much to say, I am always reading on this website Nicol said this Nicol said that, why didnt he apply for the manager's job then as he knows so much.
    Cole was never a starter for Chelsea or England, he was an impact player who came on towards the end and shined because the opposition were tired by then and he was fresh. Another overpaid England player 90k a week absolute disgrace you spend your hard earned cash to go to a game and he gets paid that, half the time for not even getting a game.

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  8. I have great respect for Nicol, which is why I always highlight his views. He's entitled to his opinion, just like the rest of us, no?

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  9. Until someone connected with Barca (Agent/Owner/Player himself) says something about a move, I wouldn't believe anything. Why would Barca Tello so cheaply when he's in the process of establishing himself in the first team set-up? He got a few first team appearances last season, so I doubt he's going anywhere.

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  10. hes better than the other "attacking midfielders" we have bar gerrard and we arent paying a transfer fee for him. It seems a no brainer to keep cole and dump adam quick smart.

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  11. Not saying he does not have the right to an opinion but he seems to state his more than others.

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  12. If people actually searched for info before posting maybe they wont look like fools... A quick reveals the following: 
    On 31 August 2011, Cole signed for French champions Lille OSC on a season long loan.[35] On his début against A.S. Saint-Étienne he gained his first assist after a solo run where he took on and beat four players to set up the third goal in Lille's 3–1 victory.[36] Cole got another assist in his second Lille appearance against FC Girondins de Bordeaux, assisting Eden Hazard for his goal in a 1–1 draw.[37] On 24 September he scored his first goal for Lille, against FC Lorient, in a 1–1 draw.[38] On October 23 he came on as a 60th minute substitute for Idrissa Gana Gueye and scored his second goal for Lille in the 3–1 win over Lyon.[39] Following his successful substitute appearance, Cole was included in the starting lineup for their Round of 16 Coupe de la Ligue match against Ligue 2 side Sedan on 26 October.[40] Cole scored Lille's second goal in the 40th minute, which turned out to be decisive in a 3–1 win.[41] Cole closed out the first half of the Ligue 1 season scoring a goal in his side's 4–4 draw with Nice on 21 December.[42]
    Cole netted his first hat-trick for Lille in a 6–0 victory over US Chantilly in the Coupe de France Round of 64 on 7 January 2012.[43]
    Cole scored his fourth league goal of the season in a 4-1 triumph over Ajaccio on 15 April, firing the ball just inside the past following a cross from Nolan Roux.[44] The final appearance in his loan with Lille came in their 4-1 final day victory over Nancy, he provided an assist for one of Eden Hazard's three goals and was later substituted off in the 64th minute by Nolan Roux.[45] The playmaker underwent a career renaissance during his loan spell with Lille, scoring on four occasions in 27 Ligue 1 appearances and providing three assists, forcing coach Rudi Garcia to admit of his fondness at keeping the Englishman at the Stadium Lille Métropole.[46] On 5th June 2012 it appeared Lille had accepted that Cole would not be joining the club permanently, with Garcia noting that new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wanted Cole to rejoin the Liverpool squad. [47]

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  13. Nicol is spot on Cole is stuffed and the ridiculous wages he is on is going to make it near impossible to get rid of him soon.
    Keeping him will only prevent a young player on the rise to prove himself in cups games etc.

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  14. Cole is contracted to liverpool, for 3 yrs on a reputed 70k per wk.
    So unless someone buys him, or LFC loan him out & pay some of his wage. They have got to keep him

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  15. Better than the midfielders we have maybe,but it still does not make him any good.Just prooves what rubbish Dalglish bought.

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  16. He's on £130k a week at Liverpool

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  17. Can't believe we are going to get rid of Aquilani and keep Cole!

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  18. Read he has 1yr left on his contract, so for a largely unproven talent 7mil seems a little bit much to me.  

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  19. Listen asshole his wages were agreed over a contract, we got the player on a free so yeah his wages were goanna b a bit over the top, but in fairness 2 cole he has a great football brain with good technique 2 back it up, give him a chance he will suit d new philosphy Rodger's will implement!! YNWA

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  20. Wish Liverpool signs someone proven like Burak YilMaz. He scored some fantastic goals in Turkish league this season.
    Players like him more realistic and affordable for Liverpool

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  21. " Indeed, his performances faded, his ratings started to fall down in the
    beginning of 2012, and so did his playing time. He was little by little
    replaced on the pitch by Dimitri Payet, a younger, faster and more
    efficient version of Cole. By the end of the season he was only taking
    part to the dying minutes of every game".

    The loan was good for all parties but not a huge success, he was on his way back long before we appointed a new manager as they could not afford his wages, mores the shame.

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  22. Lets be honest, Lille just wanted to use him, they had no intention what-so-ever of taking him permanently, like Aquilani the last two seasons, these clubs are just taking advantage of LFC then when it comes close to triggering a permanent transfer they pull the plug... Deals Liverpool have done for Aquilani and Joe Cole involved appearance clauses so Cole being dropped or used sparingly at Lille was a ply so they didn't trigger the clause

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  23. Get rid of him, Aqua, Kuyt and Maxi. Well over a million a month of the wage bill.

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  24. someone proven like YilMaz? 

    who? 

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  25. Should sell him to villa, get them back for asking £20 mill for downing. 

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  26. If we introduce Cole back into the squad it could hinder the progress of others, mainly Shelvey who impressed me towards the end of last season. Nichol is right about this one, Cole has lost his pace and very rarely beats his man anymore. Sell him, Aqualani and Maxi on and put those funds towards Sigurdssen, Adam Johnson, Diame and De Jong.

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  27. he sells kebabs in the Turkish caff in Castle Street

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  28. Burak YilMaz scored 33 goals in 34 
    league games this season. One of the top goal to game ratio in Europe after Messi and Ronaldo. He consistently scored goals over last 2 season and looks at peak of his career at age of 26 years. 
    He is recently linked with German champions Borussia Dortmund. People like you talked sh*t about Cisse and Jelavic before January. Watch this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uiiXUeuhoA

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  29. I think Rodgers welcoming Cole back is symbolic, it sends out a message to every member of the squad that everybody has a chance to force their way into his plans. I really don't think Rodgers has any use for a slow lightweight older player who's best years are behind him.

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  30. the sad news today is that harry has left spurs, not becuase i care about them but it would be great to get him as manager, why did fsg rush so much? harry would of been the perfect choice I think, as for cole if we're not keeping aqua then how we gonna keep cole? no way we should sell him around 6-7m.

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  31. Totally agree. Nicole was a masterclass player. He knows his football

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  32. Get rid of the deadwood. cut your losses and move on. That is the way moving forward for LFC. 

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  33. He's got to be better than Henderson, Spearing or Shelvey surely???, those 3 should never be anywhere near a Liverpool team ever again!.

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  34. LEAVE IT TO BREN

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  35. Don't normally agree with Jamie but on this I do.Overpaid.

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  36. allwell good rodgers knowing him from their chelsea days but how long ago was that now?
    injuries have destroyed coles career.

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  37. redknapp is tactically inept.
    a media darling who is bult up as a great man manager but their are plenty of players who have been ostracised b him.
    wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. 

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  38. rumour of ten million and they want a buy back option next season.would be an odd deal.

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  39. if he was any good after his holiday in france they'd want to keep him,not like they are shy for cash after selling hazard.

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  40. would he of done any worse than spearing or henderson or adam last season, i dont think so

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  41. Cole is a player who is very good on the ball and can still hit a good pass.  In Rogers new system its less about the pace of the players and more about the pace of the play/ball - quick passing over shorter distances.  I could see cole fitting into this well and offering something different going forward, but even more than this I could see him playing more in a Jan Molby kind of way - creative hub for the team.  Key will be, how is his ball retention under pressure and can he still slip those passes through

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  42. Sorry but no not Harry redknapp
    There must be a reason why Levy got rid of him, god really what has he actually achieved at the tender age of 64?
    Do we really have to go there? Why would we want a guy who has left his last three clubs to go downhill laden with debt?
    Again what the hell was that court case, what a farce, the man is so wide HE should be the one they call the fridge not some geezer American football player!
    Then what? We let him spend take any direction he wants and then if it doesn't work we change direction again?
    With Rodgers it's a philosophy we are adopting, one which the powers that be are hoping can be continued by like minded managers for years to come (unless it's great and Rodgers stays for 25 years!?!?!!)
    Anyhow I'm pretty glad we missed that one!

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  43. Raheem Stirling....a ready made replacement....sell Cole to West Ham!!

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  44. Could not agree anymore. Joe Cole is definitely past his prime. If he could not make a sustained impact in French League 1, where he would get so much more time on the ball, there is no way he will be able to positively influence the game in EPL. The only problem is that he is on such high wages at Liverpool and has 2 more years on his contract, and no other big club (who could afford his wages) would take him. Liverpool should send an SOS to PSG!

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  45. I agree with the first 4 names on the 'hit list' but I would keep Carroll and Henderson. Primarily because those 2 players have actually looked like they want to play for Liverpool and with more experience, I am positive they will get better. Henderson does seem like a BR player and should fit in well into the system. Carroll needs more matches and a sustained run. The way he harassed and really embarrassed John Terry, supposedly the best English defender, shows what he can do with more confidence and games. 

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  46. Our sqad right now consist of players who are either garbage (spearing, henderson, johnson, downing, caroll, shelvey), old and/or past their best(gerrard, carragher),decent but still average(enrique, maxi) or overrated (kuyt, lucas).Kuyt just left and i thank god everyday for this. Now its time for all these deadwood, joe cole included, to leave and go as far away as possible from our club...Only 3 players should be kept and they are Suarez, Skrtel and Agger. BR should rebuild around them. Only quality players should be bought. Not rejects from over teams like A.johnson, D.sturridge or S. kalou. We are not a freaking dustbin taking everything the others are throwing away! These bad transfers are affecting us every seasons and we are getting more and more average. Before we were competing for a place in champions league, then we started fighting for a place in europa league, now we are struggling  against mediocre teams to stay in top ten. In a couple of more seasons if these bad transfer policies of selling our best players and buying shitty ones for over inflated prices continues we will be fighting with championship teams for promotion. Lets hope BR gets it right and puts us back on track.YNWA

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  47.  The practical option is that both are released ASAP. They are truly surplus to requirements as the saying goes.

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  48. I see where you're coming from with this. You mean sell everybody on the Anfield premises and move down the road to "PoundStretchers" and start again - very clever!

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  49. I totally agree. If Joe Cole was that effective, King Kenny wouldn't have farmed him out to France - by virtue of being English too. Joe Cole has lost his fizz and I personally think it's time to move him on permanently.

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  50. Yeah if we want to move forward thats the only solution...Sell the crap and buy quality should be our strategy. If we keep doing this every transfer market the overall quality of our squad will obviously improve. On the other hand if we keep keeping players only because they are british like downing and co, or because they love the club like gerrard and carragher, or because they are products of our academy like spearing, flannagan and robinson, or because they do a decent job although nothing extraordinary like lucas and kuyt, then god help us! Sentimentality has no place in any business. If you work in a company and dont make them do any profits at the end of the year you are sacked and replaced by a more capable person, right? Football is no different! At the end of the year they should sit down and analyse all the players and discard every individual who did not contribute to the well being of the team. For each position only the best should stay. Players that played like shit and made us lose matches like reina and spearing should be kicked out in the ass. Players who did not played too bad but who did not deliver world class performance like gerrard etc should also go irrespective of who they are or who they were before. Players who were world class like suarez should stay or forced to stay even if they want to go. This is how to rebuild a squad...

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  51. It's good for all involved, the players get time in the shop window by playing to up their value, the clubs get a decent player for nothing and the player gets to play for a club that isn't a complete shambles at the moment.

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  52. the way you seem to ALWAYS have his views seems like maybe there is a lot more to it

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  53. He has always been a bit of a luxury wherever he has played but I think the draw to him has been ability to turn a game around with a touch of brilliance.  Seems as though maybe that star isn't shining so brightly anymore.  Wish him luck though as he always comes across as a really well grounded and normal kind of guy.

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