By Fab4.
Joe Cole has turned his back on London and Champions League football after signing a four-year contract with Liverpool. Both Arsenal and Tottenham have been strongly linked with a move for Cole and it was thought the 28-year-old would opt to stay in London after recently having a baby and wanting to stay close to his roots.
Cole became hot-property after leaving Chelsea last month after failing to agree a new contract extension. Carlo Ancelotti blamed ‘financial reasons’ behind Cole’s departure and the England winger has been linked with big-money moves to some of Europe’s elite over the past few weeks. Arsenal and Spurs became front-runners in the race for Cole’s signature, but he has chosen to move to Merseyside after agreeing a four-year contract worth a reported £90,000pw and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.
Some cynics will say he has chosen money ahead of football, after-all the deal he has signed with Liverpool was the most financially lucrative on offer, and he has chosen to go to a club that will be playing in the Europa League next season.
But Cole said last month he would chose the club who could offer him the chance to play in the centre of midfield and wanted a manager who had faith in him. No doubt both Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp would have been great managers to work under and both are renowned for being able to bring the best out of players by instilling confidence, but it’s debatable whether Cole would have been able to force his way into either Arsenal or Tottenham’s central midfield starting line-up each week.
Liverpool are no doubt a massive club with a rich history and under the guidance of Roy Hodgson, he must feel this was the right move for him and his family. Whether it’s the best move for his career is another thing though.
