Why Joe Cole Will Go To United
I’ve spent weeks, months even, arguing with myself and anyone else who’d listen – partly because I’m as stubborn as they come but mainly because I didn’t want to concede the possibility but today, TheChelseaBlog has to give in and admit it really is starting to look as if it’s just a matter of time before Joe Cole leaves Chelsea now.
That pains me for two reasons: the first being I’m in for a lot of stick after the verbal fight I’ve put up and the second because we stand to lose a bloody good player and it all feels a bit wrong somehow.
You’ll have to bear with me if I sound like I have a split personality here but it’s a conundrum I’ve yet to get straight in my own head. You see, I’ve spent the last couple of seasons bemoaning the fact that Joe Cole, like no other Chelsea (or England) player, has had to prove himself time and time again – and he’s done it. He’s been a loyal and honest player for us for years and whilst I accept he’s really struggled to come back anywhere near his best since coming back from his cruciate injury, I think he’s being written off too easily.
But here’s the dilemma, because whilst I’ve already said I fully appreciate that what Abramovich wants in terms of wage structure at the club now, surely that should really only apply to the over 30s? At 28, you know Cole’s far from past his best, so if the reported 12-month extension at £36,000 a week is all that’s been put on the table for him, then you’d have to say it’s insulting.
So, I think it’s fair to say Joe Cole will walk away from Chelsea (in the physical sense at least) in the summer, but where will he end up?
Well, if he was a player motivated by money then it’d be a no-brainer because despite City’s deluded supporters previously suggesting Cole ‘isn’t good enough’ for their squad, I suspect Mancini would take him in a heartbeat. Firstly because he’d do a damn sight better than their previous playmaker and wouldn’t sod off to Brazil when he’s bored with Manchester and secondly because Fergie wants him and City seem to bid for just about every player us or United fancy.
But Joe Cole isn’t stupid, neither is he a mercenary and whilst some might argue he’d accept whatever is on offer if he really wants to stay at Chelsea as much as he says he does, the reality is, in being asked to accept less than a third of what some of our ageing players earn when he knows he’s the one having to work his arse off every time a new manager comes in (whilst others’ poor form is often overlooked), suggests the club don’t value him in quite the same way.
That’s why he won’t be going to City. Why on earth would he want to go to another club where the manager is likely to change as frequently as the shirts? Where he’d be surrounded by players competing just as much for salaries as they are places. Besides, Joe Cole needs (and deserves) to be playing at the highest level and that’s unlikely to happen under City next season – it also rules Spurs out fortunately.
Less fortunately though – for us at least – is that Joe Cole will get exactly what he needs at Manchester United. If Joe Cole gets games and has a manager who believes in him, he thrives. Fergie wants him at United and Cole will be in no doubt of that by now. A no-nonsense manager who’ll push Cole to achieve and acknowledge his worth when he does. So if Chelsea are hell-bent on leaving Cole without an alternative, why would he go anywhere else but a club that could offer him everything he wants?
Gutted but resigned.
Filed under: Current Players, Rants
It would be logical move for him, United that is, but then again, unless they will offload someone he will have quite a fight on his hands for first team spot.
I tend not to believe much what’s written in papers, all we know this might be just speculation.
can’t blame him - i remember when Jose use to hook him soon as we scored a goal - over and over he’s proved himself - he’s scored big goals for us too - even this year he was asked to come back from injury and play behind the striker which he was new to ( i know he wanted to, but some othhr managers might have been more cautious) He did it with mixed results and gets slated for it ever after.
I love the guy and i love chelsea, but Carlo clearly doesn’t rate him - i mean behind Kalou!! He’s having a laugh!
so who can blame him - not me
heres why he wont go to united…….he will have a far worse time breaking into more action at united than chelsea. he may wind up at real madrid or somewhere in serie a….but more than like he will stay the bridge!!!
But you gotta admit, he has not been delivering. Why should they pay for something they have not received. He has had a few good matches this season, but not enough to be in the starting eleven. He is good, but Chelsea could really use a new midfielder. Would you pay for something that you have not received?
Leo - even as one of his biggest supporters, I have to admit he’s struggled to give Ancelotti a lot to go on so far. Having said that, Ancelotti hasn’t exactly made Cole feel part of his plans either. I agree with bob saunders, who in their right mind would prefer Kalou? As for getting in United’s first team - we all know what Cole’s capable when he has a manager’s belief and a run of games - of course he’ll get in their first team. Fergie wouldn’t want him so much otherwise.
I’m with you Chelsea D in terms of the dilemma concerning the wage structure at the club, but if Joe ends up going to United because of this, I fear it’ll come back to bite us on the backside.
What a kick in the teeth it would be seeing a 100% fit Joe Cole, with a full pre-season training under his belt, turning it on for one of our main title rivals next season, especially if they’ve got him for nothing!
We’re desperately crying out for some guile and spark in the final third of the pitch and he’s still the only player we’ve got who’s got that little bit of “Zolaesque” magic. The problem is he’s trying too hard to impress both Ancelotti and Capello that things just aren’t coming off for him at the moment.
I just hope a compromise deal can still be reached and Joe remains at the Bridge where his heart lies.
as much as i love Joe and would miss him if he left, there comes a point in every teams history when players you like, or thought would never leave, leave. for a couple of seasons now Joe has not been that good, sure he’s had injuries to contend with, but on the whole he has been disappointing, even more so when you look at the likes of Essien who’s had similar injury concerns over that time but has been immense apon returning. i think Joe has lost something these last few years and if he thinks he can regain that elsewhere then we shouldn’t stand in his way. i also think that if he left, we could potentially sign somebody better in his place. there’s no denying our midfield needs an overhaul (Deco, Ballack anyone?) and i think Joe is part of that.
Sure our midfield desperately needs a overhaul, Oliver, but if the purse strings are being tightened what type of player are we going to see come in to replace the likes of Joe Cole?
Fine if it’s the likes of a Pato, Aguero or Di Maria but my fear it’s more likely to be along the lines of a Pirlo, Seedorf or another 30+.
This summer transfer window is going to tell us a lot about which direction the club is heading in.
As most Chelsea fans, I love Joe Cole, and I regard him as one of our most gifted players. And there is no questioning his loyalty, he’s Chelsa all the way. Therefore it pains me, if the mediareports are true. It is in many ways the same story as with Gudicini, who wasn’t treated right by the club hierarchy. Both are players who have been extremely loyalt and humble in their dealings with the club, and this loyality and humility hasn’t been awarded.
However Cole has been very much injured the last couple of seasons, and currently he’s not showing very much, but he’s certainly not getting to many chances to show anything.
As for reinforcements if he leaves, I would say, that we should hand more chances to players like Kakuta and Stoch instead of headhunting more senior players with craxy wages.
I share the exact same sentiments.Its completely unfair how Joey,our only spark,has to contuniously has to prove himself.I admit he hasnt been playing well but there was a time when almost everyone was getting a new contract.Ballack,kalou,nico etc. have bad games & its all overlooked.He just needs to be told he’s wanted like fergie does.Joey needs a manager’s confidence to excel. You cant blame him for wanting more considering sturridge gets paid 70k a week & his 8 years younger than joey.
Joe cole has never really filled his full potential. I have said before he is a gifted player with endless talent, but managers want more and unfortunately he has not given it…
Chelsea have had several players over the years like Joe cole….who never really reached the heights they were capable of….Mike Fillery…Mickey Hazard to name just two……
Maybe he will go to united and good luck to him, but if he performs to the same standard of inconsistency up there, he will get the same result….the subs bench!
JUST READ —–CARLOS SAYING—100% JOEY WILL STAY!!!
He needs to stay healthy first
CARLO ON BEIGN ASKED ABOUT JOEY BEFORE TH HAMMERS MATCH HAD THIS TO SAY:::
Speaking prior to this afternoon’s match against Cole’s former club, Ancelotti said: ‘The club want Joe to stay here and I think they are speaking. I didn’t speak with Joe about his contract because I am not the right people to speak about this.
‘He wants to stay, the manager wants him to stay, the club want him to stay, there will be a solution. I can say to nobody that you will stay in the team, John Terry, Drogba, I cannot guarantee their position in the team.I can guarantee their position in the squad, and I guaranteed the position in the squad of Joe Cole.
Come on Joe…..come to Mighty Utd….forget Blue…red is the colour of success…. we can then get rid of Nani for you to have a good run in the best team in the country….SAF will make you an even better player than you thought you could ever be…..that is if you can put up with the hair-dyer….
United fan here. I have to say I’ld be really happy to see Joe Cole coming to OT. Excellent player with a personality to match. However, I have no doubt that if Chelsea comes close to what he wants in terms of contract there’s no chance he’s leaving.It’s really up to Chelsea. Joe Cole would be welcomed with open arms at United though