Some fans, no doubt, were distraught upon receiving the news, some shocked shaking their heads in amazement, some will be angry that Joe has been allowed to leave especially for free and even worse, potentially to one of our biggest rivals, a top 4 four club no less. (At least that discounts the ‘pool’ or should)
So what do I think?
Upon receiving the news from a delighted scouse fan (but what do they know about football and do I care what they think?) I gave a wry grin of indifference expressing the view 'no shock there then'.
Why did I hold this view, well..? It has been clear for a long period of time that Joe has not been the manager’s favourite, why else would Ancelotti play him the same number of times as Kalou. Stats show 23 starts for each. If Joe is this world-class player that some Chelsea fans have been screaming for, (and about) then why didn’t he prove it week in week out? When I saw Joe Cole come on the field for England's game against Japan, one of the first things I noticed was that ‘little Joe’ seemed to be rather ‘big Joe’. Could it be the lack of first team football and contract negotiations took its toll on him? Could this be why Carlo hasn’t been picking him to play? (I also accept it could have been the settings on my TV)
Interestingly, I would love to know what Fabio's reasons are for not playing him, even to the extent of picking Milner and the dreadful Wright-Phillips before Joe. Joe didn’t even make the starting eleven for the second & third game and only managed 18 mins as a substitute appearance, (contributing what exactly?) which surely says something and it isn’t that Capello doesn’t have a clue. (Well maybe)
I would be the first to admit that Joe has been a fans favourite - not necessarily mine though - for some considerable time, winning the player of the year award in 2007/8 season (I voted for Carvalho) and for the goal at the ‘theatre of dreams’ this year. I know the following statement will be controversial but what else did he do this year or the year before for that matter? I would say that his performances are not as memorable or as impacting as Frank, JT's or Didier’s, plus I could name a few more. Isn't it that point what makes a world-class player, the fact that you ‘sit-up’ and ‘notice’ what they do on the pitch regularly.
Joe is talented and has the potential to be that game changing player which we have lacked at times during the year. The stats show however that with Joe starting, we played 23 games (all competitions) won 14 with a win ratio of 61%. Without Joe we played 39 won 28 with a win ratio of 72%. So, a substantial difference there to help with the decision: should Chelsea have kept him? Surprisingly, Kalou’s stats are a win ratio of 74% perhaps that is why Carlo prefers him, even though he can be soooooo frustrating at times.
If you cast your mind back, Mourinho frequently didn't pick Joe, preferring Robbin and Duff, (and who wouldn’t or didn't) even publicly criticising him for his work rate and levels of performance. Hiddink didn't play him always and when you consider your starting eleven team for Chelsea, honestly, would Joe have been ahead of Malouda, Drogba and Anelka, I think not. Jose, Gus, Carlo and Fabio are all quality managers with proven club track records (you'll notice Grant is not included nor Scholari) and they are obviously seeing something in Joe or not seeing more to the point then perhaps the average Chelsea fan.
So don’t criticise the club or management for being potentially astute at realising Joe may never really realise that potential. He has been given a longer opportunity than some, namely Johnson and Wright Phillips, to prove his worth. Perhaps the club and the management team know best.