Tag Archives: jose mourinho

Will Joe Cole tip the balance?

Posted by on July 21, 2010 7 comments

Joe ColeA few days ago, I wrote an article discussing the online betting for next season’s Premier League title. I found it puzzling that Liverpool were a significantly shorter price than Tottenham going on last season’s form, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of their star players. Gerrard was to be joining Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and Torres was also allegedly keen to move, that is if anyone is brave enough to risk millions of pounds on a player that looks to have serious issues if his World Cup performances are anything to go by.

I genuinely thought Joe Cole would end up at Tottenham this summer. If the internet and newspapers are to believed, Spurs offer of wages was the lowest of his suitors, and significantly lower than those Liverpool where willing to pay. The way I see it, Liverpool were willing to pay over the odds for a player like Joe Cole as a statement of intent. They are not in the Champions League currently, have appointed a very talented but arguably low profile manager and looked like a club in serious regression last season. Cole’s signing not only shows they are still able to attract players of world class

All this being said, I don’t think it’s the end of the world that Spurs missed out on Cole. We already have a wealth of talent in midfield and paying 100k a week or more for a player in his late 20s who has a very poor injury record probably wasn’t the right move for us in hindsight. I think he was a lot more important for Liverpool than he was for Tottenham.

Do I think Cole’s move to Liverpool will propel them to mount a challenge for the Premier League title this coming season? Not a chance. Do I think he will tip the balance in their favour over Spurs where the battle for a top 4 spot is concerned? I doubt it, but I fully expect them to be better than last season. The only problem for them is, Spurs will be too!

Jenas off, Bentley storms off and Modric taken off

Posted by on August 10, 2009 61 comments

There are reports circulating today that Jermaine Jenas has submitted a transfer request. He has been linked with a move to Inter for a while after Jose Mourinho voiced his admiration for the player earlier in the summer. I wouldn’t be that surprised to see JJ go. I get the impression he probably thinks he’s a bit better than Tottenham and probably also expected to have moved on to a bigger club before now although his performances for us haven’t demonstrated that he’s worthy of such a move. If there is any genuine inquiry from Inter, I doubt he’ll be hanging around.

David Bentley got a rare start in our final friendly of the pre-season against Olympiakos yesterday. We didn’t come to life until the 2nd half and unfortunately, that’s when he was substituted. He stormed down the tunnel but it’s unclear whether it was because he needed to relieve himself or because he was in a strop, I’m hopeful it was the first one. Ok, he really struggled last season but he’s a quality player and if he’s not going to Villa as was looking likely last month, Bentley should to be given a chance.

Luka Modric came on for the 2nd half yesterday and was superb, being involved in the first two goals of the game before coming off in the 79th minute. I’ve got everything crossed that this was just a precautionary measure from Harry because he will be the difference in us achieving something or not this season as far as I’m concerned. One of the best midfielders in the Premiership for my money.

Goals from Olympiakos game here