LDN Blue

Agreed on that then LOL am I the only one who still believes Joe Cole is not as bad as people make him out to be. The line about him not being a hard worker is beyond me, he gave it everything last season when he got his chances, he got a vital goal against United, he got some assists too. Never stopped running. The comparison of Joe Cole to Kalou is ridiculous, Joe Cole's proved he's technically better, he's faster, his passes are better placed. You're right though, he's failed to demonstrate this in the last 2 season, I really hope 2011 marks a new time for him. I guarantee you, if he has an injury free year we'll see that touch and flare we once cheered through at Stamford Bridge. The last 2 season? He hasn't actually had a full season to establish himself. So okay, I will strike that comment then, but on form.. Between Bena and Joe, Cole wins hands down. We won't really know that for a while now with Yossi out till April. Yes 9 years in top flight football, 7 or 8 of those were fantastic. You've said so yourself, those years (especially 07/08) were his best.. I think there's much more to him than what we've witnessed in the last 2 seasons. Like I said, I hope by 2011 he'll re capture that form.

He's only failed to become a regular starter because he's just come back from an injury (so I believe?) As for the managers, I seem to remember Ranieri, Mourinho and Grant love to play him. Not sure about Scolari and Hiddink, but I think he was injured during their tenures (which were brief so.. ). Though it is worrying he didn't make an impression on Capello (despite calls from Gerrard and Terry to get him game time)

Can't agree/disagree about the payment and all that since it was never made public, just rumoured. It is true his wage demand was rather high but the point is still the same, for his career a move to Liverpool was better than Arsenal and Tottenham because it was easier to get game time at Liverpool. Right now that club is in a position where it can only go up (hopefully), it's a perfect time for Joey to show his real potential on the pitch. He's more saddened? Perhaps. But only because he played Ballack more than he did Cole. But the fact Carlo wanted to keep Joe at Chelsea shows he IS a great player, I don't believe his over rated, I just think he's hit by bad luck (with his injuries). In the period he was injured, a lot changed, players established themselves and Cole simply could not breakthrough. Carlo's comment about Joe being less intelligent than Yossi (in my honest opinion) was a charade. I think he only said that to justify his awful transfer of Benayoun. Joe Cole or Yossi Benayoun? You don't even have to be English to know that Joe is much better than Yossi. You keep referring to the fact people only rate Cole because he's English and homegrown. That though hasn't crossed my mind at all. You can't say Cole is on level with Kalou because he hasn't been given enough time to show his real potential (which we've seen). The key words you've used is "right now".. People are slated for saying Ramires isn't that great and in reply we say "give him time" "let him adapt". Why can't we do the same for Joe. I keep coming back to his knee injury because it's important! He was given the amount of time, say, Sturridge gets given today. Barely any. It's still too early to judge him at Liverpool because he's yet to settle with red cards and injuries hampering his time to settle. I say the same about Ramires, let's give him time to settle in and show us how good he is JUST like Cole. Nothing to do with nationality, just being fair.

Mourinho - The voice of reason. Mourinho believes that Benitez's outburst against Inter president Massimo Moratti earlier this week showed a lack of respect for what he did at the club. Benitez issued a 'sack me or back me' ultimatum after Inter's success at the FIFA Club World Cup, believing he needs extra funds in the upcoming transfer window to improve his faltering squad. The reigning five-time Serie A champions sit 13 points adrift of leaders and city rivals AC Milan in the table, albeit with two games in hand. "I don't want to know when or if Benitez is ousted,'' Mourinho added. "I am only interested in Inter, the president, my friends, the players, the fans who in two years gave me everything. "I want Inter to win everything apart from the Champions League, where there is Real Madrid. Rafa's words [after the Club World Cup]. They deserve no comment. I expected at least a thank you from the success that I gave him. Ask all the Inter fans what they think of me and him.''

Actually, ManUtd said they were not interested. Fergie said so himself. As for Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, they each offered the same wage. It's obvious why he turned down Arsenal and Tottenham, they all have great players, much like we do. Liverpool were a club who were in trouble, they were looking for any players who could offer them a way out and Joe was the man, he was guaranteed first team football there. Most would make the same choice really. Just look at Michael Owen, he went to ManUtd but does he play? (when fit?) nope. Aston Villa were willing to take him, even Liverpool but he went on record to say he'd rather sit on United's bench. Disgraceful really. And in regards to Carlo's opinion, well.. Ask Ballack what he thinks about Carlo's influence on contract discussions. On your point of his intelligence, I strongly urge you watch Joe's performances in a Chelsea shirt prior to his knee injuries, you'll see a player who showed great intelligence on the pitch.. His awareness to pick out a pass was something we enjoyed. And let's be honest, is José Mourinho (one of the best managers in the world right now & a great admirer of Cole) going to endorse a player who's not intelligent? I personally was heart broken when Joe left. He's a legend in this club, much like Wilkins who left us for ManUtd as a player. When he comes back to Stamford Bridge with Liverpool he deserves nothing but a standing ovation for his part in our first ever Premier League title in 2005 & again in 2006.

Well I think you have to be a bit fair on him. In Jan 09 he'd suffered a very serious cruciate ligament damage in his knee, he didn't really make an appearance after that until November-ish and by then it was very hard for him to break through as it was. He was hardly ever given a start and when he did appear it was off the bench with a mere 10-15minutes to go. 2008 was his best year (in my opinion) for Chelsea. He'd been fantastic all season, he'd played and performed better than even Lampard. But he did have to miss the whole season after because of a knee injury. I always said, he deserved more chances than he got, but Carlo was unwilling, what else was he to do? Well how do you know that? From what I've read he left for more game time, which I actually understand. Nobody wants to be a bench warmer, especially someone who's as good as Joe Cole. Yes going to Liverpool wasn't the best move but to say he left for money is absurd, especially when (at the time) Liverpool were in as much debt as they were. He left to play more games, it's the reason he didn't sign a new contract.

LOL I think it's a bit harsh to say Roy didn't want him. I think anyone at the time (us included) would have loved Joe to be part of their team, when he's on form he's truly magnificent, he's got pace, control and a decent finish (for example, vs Sweden). I do feel slightly sorry for him. He left to seek more first team football, and with the way things are going it seems he's not going to get it at Liverpool. I really don't mind if we try and get a loan deal for him to bring him back, Liverpool do have a habit for buying players and selling them back to their original clubs (just ask Robbie Keane LMAO) Oh Roy.. You truly are deluded. Joe had his peak at Chelsea, if anyone's to blame for his "unsuccessful period" now, it's Liverpool

Jesus, yeah. I can't wait till he bursts on the scene for our senior squad..

LMAO I suggest you go check the Aguero thread

Yeah apparently they offered him and Kakuta the same deal after the Euro's and they both rejected it. They must have bumped up Kakuta's, but with the lack of chances Borini's getting, will it be the same for him?

Di Maria has been a great signing Real. He's proven his value and that game just demonstrates it. I remember when we were linked with him before Madrid went and swooped him up.. Sigh, what could've been hey?

How comes?

A bit Bale-esq isn't it. Knocking it well forward and chasing it with tremendous speed.

And sooner or later (hopefully later), Ash will start holding back a bit more because he'll be getting older & cue Van Aanholt.

True.. I guess I mean, in terms of starting at the group stages rather than in qualifying

Makes sense I guess. I don't see the club extending his contract past 2012 anyway.

I think it's because of the "wind-up order" not the actual process of loaning. The loan is seen as a "new" deal rather than "extended" deal in the eyes of the Football League, I guess a consequence of a wind-up order is.. That club cannot sign new players, either permanently or on loan.

Interesting comments from Dzeko about his future today.. Manchester City can't guarantee that. But we can, it makes me wonder.. Why doesn't Chelsea show some interest?

We won't discuss his contract till next January in that case then

The thing about this is, the PLAYER has said he wants to go to Chelsea. (As far as I'm aware) it's not because we've paid his parents off or anything, it's his choice. Like any other transfer? I do feel sorry for the club, they are seen as Europe's youth academy, to train players for clubs like ours to buy. But he's choosing to leave.

I didn't know this..

Well if the rumours about us an Coentrao, we might as well forget about him as his chances will be very limited :|

Ah.. Okay I understand your point then, fair do's

Plymouth Argyle's bid to keep Conor Clifford at the club for another loan stay has been denied by the Football League. The Pilgrims had agreed a deal with parent club Chelsea to keep the precocious midfielder at Home Park until January 22. However, the Football League viewed the deal as a new signing and refused to accept Clifford's registration because Argyle have been made the subject of a winding-up order. The Irish Under-21 midfielder made eight appearances for Peter Reid's men, where he has been on loan since October.

Then you should be able to recognise that emerging youth talent (the like of Marin & Hamsik [for example purposes]) could be Premier League stars if given a chance?