Who is Chelsea legend Joe Cole?
Joseph John Cole, simply known as Joe Cole, was born on 8 November 1981 in Paddington. Cole is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacker for the Premier League club Chelsea.
Joe started his career with West Ham United, where, after breaking into the first team in winter 1999, the attacker played more than 120 Premier League matches over five campaigns.
Cole was one of several footballers who left the Hammers in the summer of 2003, after the Irons had been relegated to the Football League First Division, with Joe signing for Chelsea.
Cole spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, playing over 280 matches in all tournaments and winning 7 titles, including 3 Premier League trophies, 2 FA Cups and a League Cup.
Cole left the London club on a free transfer in summer 2010 to join Liverpool, who loaned the attacker to Lille a year later. After a season in Ligue 1, Joe returned to Anfield before re-joining West Ham United in winter 2013.
Cole signed for Aston Villa in summer 2014, then joined Coventry City on loan in October 2015, joining on a permanent deal in winter 2016.
Joe Cole’s international career
Joe played his senior international debut game with Mexico in May 2001. Cole was a member of the Three Lions’ 2002 World Cup team, making one substitute appearance in the competition.
Joe was also a squad member at UEFA Euro 2004 but did not play. The English attacker’s performances in the Three Lions’ friendly games leading up to the 2006 Mundial enhanced his reputation ahead of the summer’s finals in Germany.
In May 2006, Cole was confirmed in the Three Lions team for the Mundial, ahead of Chelsea teammate Shaun Wright-Phillips. Joe played on the left side of midfield in England’s opening match with Paraguay in June 2006.
On 20 June 2006, the Three Lions drew with Sweden in Group B play, with a final score of 2–2. Joe scored a volley in the 34th minute of the game and got an assist in the 85th when he sent in a ball to Steven Gerrard, with this contribution earning him the Man of the Match award.
Joe was named in the final 23-man selection for the Three Lions’ 2010 World Cup squad, according to a report. However, Cole was limited to just two substitute games in the competition itself, as England lost to Germany in the second round in what was to be his final international game.
