Joe Cole has revealed he signed for Liverpool because they are
the 'biggest club in England'.
The England midfielder officially signed his four-year deal -
worth £80,000 a week - after leaving Chelsea this summer.
And he has spoken for the first time about his reasons for
joining Liverpool - and snubbing a move to Arsenal and Spurs.
Red alert: Liverpool new boy Joe Cole said he left
Chelsea to sign for the biggest club in England
The new Liverpool No 10 said: 'I could have stayed at Chelsea
because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to
challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a
no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.
'I set myself a deadline to make a decision and when I made it I
sent a text to Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrard and then turned
my phone off.
I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward
to the challenge. This is a challenge for me. I have played in
London all my life.'
'This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the
equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought
in football terms.
'I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005
when I ran on to the field and the hairs on the back of my neck
stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every
week and that swung it for me.
Breath of fresh air: Cole says he can't wait to get
started with new Reds boss Roy Hodgson
'You talk to Liverpool players and talk about the European
nights. I experienced it as an opponent and it was immense. To go
out there and play in that atmosphere every week will be
phenomenal.'
Cole revealed that he is exciting about working under new
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, who replaced Rafa Benitez at the end of
the season.
He added: 'I had a chat with the gaffer about football and was
impressed with him. The club has had Spanish and French managers
over the years and I think it's a breath of fresh air to get an
Englishman in.
'The club finished seventh last year, which wasn't good enough,
and he explained where the club wants to go. I jumped on board
because with the players we have here and the players we are
looking to bring in, it's definitely going in the right
direction.
Thumbs up: Cole declared he was delighted to hear
captain Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield
'I want to go out there and to run and fight for the lads and
the fans. That's what I'll always do and Roy is the man who can
make sure we are a nice unit as a team.
'It's all about us and being together as a team and having the
spirit which can take you a long way. If you add that to the
quality players we've got here we can go a long way.'
Cole has also welcomed the news that he will be playing
alongside Steven Gerrard next season after the Liverpool skipper
committed his future to the club.
He said: 'That was the best bit of news I could have had. I know
Stevie, he is Liverpool through and through and I know from playing
with and against him for the last 10 years what a quality player he
is.
'I know how much this club means to him. I think players can
play for other clubs but with Liverpool you have to live and
breathe it. It's that kind of a place. I am excited by the
challenge.
Let's get started: Cole wants to set the Premier
League alight with new team-mate Gerrard
'I am moving my family and everyone is excited and booking their
weekends up here. I am going to make it work.'
'We've just had a young baby girl, but I'm 28 now and I have a
good family around me. I know people will make me feel welcome and
the response I have had has been amazing.
'I just want to get involved. When you move to a new club it's
important to immerse yourself into everything about it and that's
what I'll be looking to do. I know the fans are great with the
players and I will fight to try and win trophies for this
club.'