I miss him, he was one of my favourite ever Chelsea players. So here is a compilation video I found on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bh-Jf9UeCs&feature=related

It occurs to me that his last few years of being total sh*t made me forget just how good he was on his day, and also how important his skill set was to our title winning sides. (He also won Chelsea player of the year once)

Perhaps not 'better than Messi', but he still did this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly1nUJgBffs

I also seem to recall two 1-0 wins against Liverpool in the same season with Joe Cole as the only scorer in both. It's a shame that his career plummeted so drastically, but at his best he was really quite good.

He had some bad injuries towards the end of his Chelsea career I seem to recall, it was a shame he never recovered fully from them. On his day, he was certianly one of the most exciting players I've ever seenand I'm including the likes of Ronaldo and Messi in that. He wasn't quite their level, but when he turned it on he wasn't far off. Having him on 1 wing and Duff or Robben on the other was a sight to behold.

Joey could be exceptional on his day - an absolute match-winner. Someone who could turn a draw into 3 points and exactly what we are missing currently.

He did lack consistency and fitness but boy could we have done with him over the past couple of seasons.

Im glad he is doing well at Lille and that he wants to stay in France.

Its hard to believe his decline when he went up north. Considering the future once looked so bright and he was England's hope for the next great attacking midfielder its hard to believe how things went.

Still a top guy in my book, his comments about Liverpool were a little overblown and typical of the sycophantic nonsense everyone says when they sign there.

Loved him in a blue shirt. I thought it was a pity he over-priced himself and left Chelsea. Once he lost his pace, though, his game wasn't good enough to compensate. I'm glad he's happy in France.

Joey could be exceptional on his day - an absolute match-winner. Someone who could turn a draw into 3 points and exactly what we are missing currently.

He did lack consistency and fitness but boy could we have done with him over the past couple of seasons.

Even Liverpool didn't think he was good enough. Can't get more of a snub than that.

Well it's never easy to overcome bad injuries. On his day he was awesome and I'm glad it's going well for him in France, hopefully he'll get the England callup in the summer.

hopefully he'll get the England callup in the summer.

Tee hee!

I take it you have something against Joe Cole then?

I take it you have something against Joe Cole then?

Unfortunately ES has always had difficulty in admiring Joe's talents. THAT GOAL Joey scored against Man Utd? Not as good as any of Lamp's tap-ins according to ES!!!

Thought he was a good player for us.

I take it you have something against Joe Cole then?

Just rather amused at the idea of him getting an England call up for the Euros. Suppose it's possible if Harry's in charge.

Unfortunately ES has always had difficulty in admiring Joe's talents. THAT GOAL Joey scored against Man Utd? Not as good as any of Lamp's tap-ins according to ES!!!

Too right. If it wasn't a penalty or deflected it's not a proper goal!