Joe Cole's journey in football began in the West Ham academy, where he honed his skills before signing his first professional contract with the club in 1998. He then joined the first team, taking part in 126 matches and scoring ten goals over the course of five impressive years.
In 2003, Cole made the move to Chelsea FC, joining forces with fellow talented player Frank Lampard. Under the guidance of head coach José Mourinho, Cole developed into an attacking midfielder and winger, becoming a pivotal player for the club over the next several seasons.
During his seven-year stint with Chelsea, Cole represented the club in 184 matches, scoring 28 goals. In 2010, he made the switch to Liverpool on a free transfer, making 20 appearances and scoring two goals for the club.
However, Cole's time at Liverpool was short-lived, and he went on to spend a season on loan at Lille in 2011. During his time with the French club, Cole played alongside some of the world's top talent, including Eden Hazard, and helped the team finish in third place in Ligue 1.
After his loan spell, Cole had brief stints with Aston Villa FC and Coventry City FC before moving to the United States to finish his career with Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida. There, he enjoyed a three-year spell and was able to bring his playing career to a close.
Before retiring from football, Cole had already made a significant impact on the international stage. He was capped 17 times for the England national U16, U18, and U21 teams, scoring two goals. He then went on to earn 56 caps for the senior England team, netting ten goals.
Since retiring from football in 2018, Cole has transitioned into a coaching role, becoming an Academy Coach at Chelsea FC. He has also remained involved in the sport as a Presenter/Pundit for BT Sport.
