By Fab4.
Yesterday it was widely reported that Joe Cole had agreed a 3-year-contract with Arsenal and some even suggesting he had signed on the dotted line and was officially a Gooner. However, these reports are somewhat premature as it’s now believed that Cole has delayed any transfer or contract negotiations until after the World Cup.
Several sources have claimed that Cole’s representatives had agreed a lucrative 3-year deal, with Arsenal willing to pay a substantial signing on fee as well as £110,000pw for the 28-year-olds services. Most Arsenal fans immediately dismissed the reports, arguing that this was obviously a load of rubbish due to the strict wage structure in place at the Emirates, forgetting that Arsene signed Sol Campbell on a free and broke the wage cap for him, so a similar deal for Cole is possible.
The reports emerged after Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claimed he thought Cole had already agreed a deal with another club, and the fact that Joe and his wife Carly have just had another child and were reluctant to leave London. So it’s possible the papers have put 2+2 together and equalled Arsenal. Which would be a fair assumption, given the fact it seems likely he will leave Chelsea, Harry says Spurs are out the race, Cole has already rejected West Ham, leaving Arsenal as the only viable London-based option.
But it seems we will now be in for a wait to find out where Cole will be playing his football next season, as the latest news coming from fleet-street is that he will now put all contract talks on hold until after the World Cup. Although the good news is that Arsenal have definitely met with Cole’s people and are keen on a deal.
I am split on this one to be honest. I like Joe Cole as a player, he would fit in perfectly with the Arsenal way of playing football, he can play in a variety of positions, is English which might make the media like us a bit more, and has vast premiership experience. But we are hardly crying out for a short, tricky, technical type player are we? If Arsene does sign Cole, i would expect a departure with Arshavin, Vela, Eboue, Rosicky and Eduardo the possible candidates.
It may be that Wenger is weighing up what (cheap) creative options are available if Fabregas leaves and sees Cole as an able replacement in the centre of midfield, where Joe himself thinks is his best position. We would get a couple of good years out of him until he hits 30 when Wenger will immediately think he has lost all footballing ability and Ramsey would be ready to take over.
There is no doubting signing Joe Cole on free transfer from the premiership champions and London rivals Chelsea would be a coup and would strengthen our squad, so from that point of view it would be a great move. But if it means less money to strengthen the defense and buy a proper goalkeeper, I’d rather we didn’t.
Would you like to see Joe Cole at Arsenal? Where would he play?
