Former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp claims Joe Cole “could have been” as good as Argentinian legend Lionel Messi.

Redknapp gave the attacking midfielder his senior debut in 1998. He was sold to Chelsea for just £6.6m five years later when the player turned down a new contract. Speaking about Cole’s talent, Redknapp said:

“Joe could have been Lionel Messi. He was that good. I honestly believe that. But you had to let him play. He had to play like Messi. Go and get the ball Joe, play where you want to play. Get Joe on the ball because he can do magic. He can win the game.”

Cole would go on to have a very good career at Chelsea, winning 7 major trophies, including three Premier League titles, but he was never a central figure for club nor country.

He wasn’t the same player on his return to West Ham

After leaving Chelsea in 2010, Cole had an ill-fated three-year spell with Liverpool. One of those seasons was spent out on loan at French club Lille where he was remembered fondly.

He then made his return to the Hammers in 2013, but injuries meant that he only made 37 appearances across two campaigns before he was released by the club. Cole spent time with Aston Villa, Coventry City and the Tampa Bay Rowdies prior to his retirement from professional football in November 2018.

Cole has called on Potter to be given more time

Speaking about his former club earlier this week, the player-turned-pundit urged West Ham to give current head coach Graham Potter their full backing in the transfer market.

The Irons’ form has not improved since Potter’s appointment at the start of the year and some fans are already calling for a change in the dugout. However, Cole doesn’t want chairman David Sullivan to be constantly chopping and changing his manager:

“I think, whatever happens in the summer, just commit to it. Don’t dangle a leg. If you’re gonna stick with Graham Potter, stick with Graham Potter. I don’t like this, quit switching it around.”

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