Joe Cole turns 35 today and most of us are still wondering how he didn't become one of the best players in world football.
He was one of the most gifted players of his generation but a series of injuries and unsucessful moves hindered his career hugely and now he finds himself plying his trade at Tampa Bay Rowdies, who will play in the United Soccer League next season.
He started out as a stand-out talent at West Ham alongside the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand and got his big move to Chelsea in 2003. He would go on to win three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups with the club but his career spiralled downwards after a move to Liverpool and he never truly reached the heights he was capable of reaching.
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And he was one of England's best performers for years. Undoubtedly his finest and most memorable moment came in the 2006 World Cup in a Group B match with Sweden.
The game was packed with drama and excitement and eventually ended 2-2 when Henrik Larsson scored a late leveller.
But the match was all about a swinging, thumping volley produced by Cole in the 34th minute to open the scoring. The ball was only half-cleared after a bit of England pressure, the ball fell to Cole 35 yards out, who controlled the ball on his chest and smashed the ball into the top corner, out of the reach of Andreas Isaksson.
"JOE COLE, WHY NOT?!" is the famous commentary delivered by Clive Tyldesley.
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Watch the goal here:
Happy birthday Joe. Cheers for scoring this absolute beauty.
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