Tbh I'm not really a Cole fan, great player, but that is it for me.
But far too often these days we moan about players sitting out contracts to pick up a retirement wage. You have to take your hat off to a man who goes well out his comfort zone to try something new. I think as a learning curve Serie A has surprised him, he hasn't had near enough as much game time as you would think, but he doesn't moan and is not a thorn in the side of the club.
Coles game in his peak was all about atheleticism and that is not always going to be the same level into your 30s. The tactical game in serie A should help him prolong his career for a few more years yet.
Pearce for me, a giant of English football and from 88-92 was utterly immense in defence AND attack - post knee injury he was a lesser player.
The bloke also scored plenty of goals from open play as well as free kicks and penalties - 82 career goals for a full back is extraordinary.
For the record Pearce played in three major tournaments and England reached the semi-finals in two of them - that is further than Cole ever got in an England shirt.
His redemption penalty against Spain still sends tingles down my spine, for me he is in a class of his own and one of the best players I saw - he used to regularly tear us apart in the Lennie years.
Pearce for goals wins outright it's no contest, I am a huge Pearce fan in was there for every England game in 96 his pen is in my top five football moments ever, but Cole Imo was the best
I'd say Cole is above Lizarazu, Carlos was nowhere near as good a defender - didn't need to be, playing for Real and Brazil (but better going forward) and, for me, Maldini is from the 'previous' era
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But far too often these days we moan about players sitting out contracts to pick up a retirement wage. You have to take your hat off to a man who goes well out his comfort zone to try something new. I think as a learning curve Serie A has surprised him, he hasn't had near enough as much game time as you would think, but he doesn't moan and is not a thorn in the side of the club.
Coles game in his peak was all about atheleticism and that is not always going to be the same level into your 30s. The tactical game in serie A should help him prolong his career for a few more years yet.
The bloke also scored plenty of goals from open play as well as free kicks and penalties - 82 career goals for a full back is extraordinary.
For the record Pearce played in three major tournaments and England reached the semi-finals in two of them - that is further than Cole ever got in an England shirt.
His redemption penalty against Spain still sends tingles down my spine, for me he is in a class of his own and one of the best players I saw - he used to regularly tear us apart in the Lennie years.