Cole intends to restart Reds career
Joe Cole has stated his intention to stay and prove himself at Liverpool next season despite interest from Lille and West Ham.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
The 30 year old midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell with French outfit Lille and was given a standing ovation by the Lille's fans at the end of the season but has recently returned to parent club Liverpool.
The former West Ham and Chelsea player made the switch to Liverpool in 2010 but never really fulfilled his potential at the club owing to a combination of a series of injuries and a lack of confidence.
"When I signed for Liverpool, it startled me a bit," Cole told the Daily Mail.
"I don't know if I felt the pressure but the city is so in love with football. It's a religion. If I go back, I will be more prepared for it this time."
"I can see why people say [joining Liverpool] is a culture shock. It is a small place but it has this great buzz. How can there not be in a city that has produced five Prime Ministers and The Beatles?"
"The people are so sharp, quite a bit like Londoners really" he added
Cole however, is determined to put things right at Liverpool next season.
"There is still a part of me that would really love to make it work there and I don't want to have a bad spell at Anfield on my CV'
He did concede that while he was interested in staying at Liverpool, the decision on whether he would wear the Liverpool jersey again ultimately boiled down to the club.
'It is out of my hands now. At the minute I can't rule anything in or out. We have got to speak to Liverpool and see what happens there' he said.
Cole also admitted that he will have his work cut out in order to readjust to the quick tempo of the Premier League, after having spent a year playing at a slower pace in France.
"I will have to do extra work because it will be going back to that 100mph pace but I'm sure it will be okay,' he explained.
West Ham has already expressed an interest in bringing Cole back to Upton Park while Lille coach Rudi Garcia is also keen that the midfielder should return to the French club.