By Fab4.
One positive from England’s exit from the World Cup is that after weeks of speculation, we will soon know where Joe Cole will be playing football next season. Several ‘sources’ have claimed that Cole has already agreed a deal to join Arsenal after being released by Chelsea, and as long as he passes a medical he will be playing at the Emirates next year. But after reading Cole’s post match comments yesterday on Fifa.com, he doesn’t sound like bloke who has already sorted out his future.
Cole said: “I want to get my future sorted as quickly as possible. My season for Chelsea wasn’t great for what I believe were political reasons rather than footballing reasons. Carlo Ancelotti, I love him, I’ve got big respect for him. I don’t want to go on into it now. It isn’t the time.
“It is not financial and it is nothing to do with Carlo. I love Carlo. I think he is a top guy and a top manager. I loved my time at Chelsea, I love the fans but it is a story for another day and I will tell it but now is not the time.”
Cole added: “I want to have a couple of weeks off, want to sort my future out as soon as possible, go on holiday with my family. Next season I want to have a fantastic season for England and whatever club I am at.
“The next contract I sign will be a footballing decision. I want to play in a more central position. I want a manager who has faith in me and I’m talking about club football here. It is a big decision for me and my family but I’m open to anything at the moment.
“I have purposely not spoken to anyone while I’ve been here because that wouldn’t be fair on England. My phone has been turned off but now I want to sort it all out.”
Seems that the Cole transfer saga is far from being concluded. If Cole had already agreed a switch to Arsenal, he wouldn’t have made these comments. He would just have avoided the question. Perhaps he or his agents have spoken with Arsenal officials and liked what they heard but it’s highly unlikely any deal is as close as some had us believe last week given Cole’s comments yesterday.
Also, Cole clearly wants to be playing centrally. Would Arsene Wenger promise him a central role in the Gunners side? Would Cole play alongside Fabregas or maybe he is his replacement? Maybe Arsene is planning on selling our captain for £35m and replacing him with a freebie….now how would the Gunners faithful feel about that?! More penny pinching from the Arsenal, or a shrewd move?
As Cole himself states, he is ‘open to anything’. So Tottenham, City, Liverpool, amongst others must all be back in the race for his signature. I could see Redknapp playing Cole in the middle with Modric on the left and Bale at left back. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he ended up at White Hart Lane, it would simply come down to whether Spurs could afford him.
United declared they were out of the race last week, but that means very little these days. Fergie could still make a move for him. I wouldn’t discount Liverpool either, despite the uncertainty over their managerial situation. They would love to snap up an international for nothing (well not nothing, they would still have to fork out for a signing on fee and sky-high wages).
I just hope Joe Cole does sort his future out asap, and as an Arsenal fan i hope he comes to the Emirates. But it seems no deal is in place just yet.
Where do you think Joe Cole will be playing next season? Please leave your comments below…
