Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Redknapp: Joe Cole was right to choose Liverpool over Tottenham and Arsenal
Joe Cole has made the right decision. Going to Anfield to play for Liverpool is the right move. [LNB]I know my dad, Harry, tried to take him to Tottenham and I can see why. He's a clever footballer, who unlocks defences and who still has so much to offer, an old fashioned dribbler. [LNB]Red-letter day: Cole will be revitalised by his move to Anfield, where he will link up with Gerrard (below) instead of battling with him[LNB]Tottenham have those players. Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar ... would Joe have got into the team? I doubt it.[LNB] Of course, in what they hope will be a Champions League season, they need strength in depth but he needs to be playing first team football now. [LNB]At 28, Joe cannot continue to be an impact substitute. He's better than that. He needs a manager to love him. He didn't have it with Chelsea, he hasn't had it with England. [LNB]When he played for my dad at West Ham, he performed better with an arm around the shoulder. He will get that from Roy Hodgson. [LNB]Signing Cole is a coup for the new Liverpool manager. With there being doubts cast about the future of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and questions about their lack of spending power, this is a message of intent.[LNB] For the club, it's a no brainer. They have signed a £15million player for free. I know Joe's wages have caused much debate, but he wasn't asking for astronomical amounts, he wasn't being greedy.[LNB]Players hold so much power and sway now and he had found himself in an enviable position. His club, Chelsea, didn't want him, that was clear. They didn't go out of their way to keep him - can you see them letting a player like Michael Essien get into the same position? [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] So he has just been looking for the right deal. Remember, Joe scored that brilliant goal for Chelsea at Old Trafford last season which effectively won them the title. Even then, they still didn't love him enough. [LNB]THE BEST OF BOSMANS SOL CAMPBELL (Tottenham to Arsenal, 2001) Despite insisting he would never move across north London, Spurs skipper Campbell went to Arsenal, where he won the Premiership twice and the FA Cup twice.[LNB]STEVE McMANAMAN (Liverpool to Real Madrid, 1999) McManaman was a hit with the Bernabeu crowd, who adored him for his work-rate. He scored in Real's 3-0 Champions League final win over Valencia in 2000. [LNB]HENRIK LARSSON (Liverpool to Real Madrid, 1999) The Sweden striker easily made the transition from the SPL, winning La Liga twice and the Champions League. Made a vital contribution in the 2006 final win over Arsenal.[LNB]BRAD FRIEDEL(Blackburn to Aston Villa, 2008) The American is one of the Premier League's most consistent performers. As of the end of last season, he had made 228 consecutive league appearances for Villa. [LNB] [LNB]So Joe knew he wasn't wanted and has spent the time since the World Cup considering his options. [LNB]Arsenal were also interested and you can see that he is Arsene Wenger's kind of player; very comfortable with the ball. [LNB]Where will he play for Liverpool? He can play off the front, behind a striker, or he can play left or right. I don't suppose you will see him in a central midfield position in a 4-4-2, but he is no luxury player.[LNB] I've played against Joe and he will get about the pitch and close you down, he's not afraid of the dirty work, or of putting his foot in.[LNB] I know Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will be pleased he is coming. I hope it is not as a replacement for Gerrard, because that would be a big step backwards. [LNB]Liverpool need to soak Cole with the ball and he will create chances and score goals. Their crowd appreciates a good footballer and will welcome him to Anfield. [LNB]There has been much talk that he wanted to stay in London, but I made the transition as a young boy and so he can as a player at the peak of his powers. [LNB]This is no gamble by Liverpool. And for the player, it is the ideal chance for him to get his career going again. It might even convince Fabio Capello that he can be an international player to trust.[LNB] Liverpool great Rush insists Cole coup shows the Reds still mean business Joe Cole signs for Liverpool as former Chelsea ace snubs Arsenal and Tottenham for MerseysideCash-hungry Joe heads for Anfield: Liverpool close in on 'money-led' ColeCLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST LIVERPOOL FC NEWS CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CHELSEA FC NEWS [LNB]
