Aug 16

Football Weekly podcast: Blackpool’s stunning start and Joe Cole’s red card

James Richardson, Sean Ingle, Barry Glendenning and the one and only Fernando Duarte make up the panel for this first Football Weekly proper of the new season.

We begin by marvelling at Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. The worst side in the history of the Premier League (TM) confounded the critics by hammering Wigan 4-0. Only Chelsea loooked more impressive. And Aston Villa, if we’re being generous.

Meanwhile, it was a weekend to forget for pretty much every top-flight goalkeeper with the exception of Manchester City’s Joe Hart, while Joe Cole started his Anfield career with a red card as he was sent off for Liverpool against Arsenal. Has anyone else made a worse debut?

Finally, we look forward to the midweek European games, including Tottenham’s Champions League qualifier against Young Boys.

Have a listen and post your feedback below. We’re also on iTunes, Facebook and Twitter, and if you enjoy this type of thing, get your daily dose of fooball with our tea-time email, the Fiver.

James RichardsonBen GreenSean IngleBarry GlendenningFernando Duarte

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Jul 21

Liverpool are ‘the biggest club in the country’, says Joe Cole

• Decision to move to Anfield a ‘no-brainer’
• Midfielder ‘jumped on board’ after hearing plans

Joe Cole today completed his free transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool and immediately risked upsetting his former employer by provocatively claiming he had joined “the biggest club in the country”. The England international, who has signed a four-year contract, dismissed suggestions that money was the motivation for moving to Liverpool and insisted that swapping Stamford Bridge for Anfield was purely a football decision.

Cole went on to describe Liverpool as a “massive club” and claimed the prospect of running out on a regular basis at the stadium that left such an indelible mark on him in 2005, when he was part of the Chelsea side defeated 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg during an electric night at Anfield, was too good to turn down. Yet it is his remarks suggesting Liverpool represent a step up from Chelsea that will spark the most interest, particularly at Stamford Bridge.

“I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms,” Cole said, explaining how he arrived at his decision. “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

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Jul 21

Liverpool hand Joe Cole No10 shirt as midfielder signs four-year deal

• 28-year-old passes medical and completes move
• Cole is with Liverpool at training camp in Switzerland

Liverpool have completed the signing of Joe Cole on a four-year contract after he passed his medical – and have handed the midfielder the No10 shirt.

The 28-year-old agreed personal terms on Monday having being released by Chelsea at the end of last season and then flew to the club’s training camp in Switzerland to undergo his physical examination.

Liverpool’s manager, Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, has told defender Philipp Degen he can look for a new club.

The Switzerland international has struggled to make an impact since arriving at Anfield from Borussia Dortmund in July 2008. “We have had an amicable conversation with Philipp and he wants to play football,” said Hodgson. “We won’t stand in his way and he is free to look for another club.”

Joe ColeLiverpoolChelseaTransfer windowguardian.co.uk

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