Quite why we have failed to offer Cole a new deal is one of the strangest decisions we have made in years. I am of the belief that if any team aims to be successful then they need to keep their best players at the club; Cole is certainly one of those, therefore the decision not to offer him a contract astounds me.
The reason to why a deal hasn’t yet been struck is that Joey has apparently asked for too much money. Why I don’t believe that you should bow down to player’s wage demands at every opportunity, the fact Cole is out of contract at the end of the season surely entitles him to command a Bosman like wage. If we are to replace him we will have to pay a sizeable transfer fee plus wages on top, therefore why not stick with him; surely it will work out cheaper in the long run? It seems that ruling doesn’t apply to players on your own books and in my view it is absolutely nonsense, especially as you know that the player has already proved himself and does in fact make a massive contribution to the club.
Cole is popular at the Bridge no question and the thought of him leaving doesn’t sit well with most, especially with North London being the rumoured destination. The prospect of him playing for Tottenham is going to eat at most supporters and why a few months ago it seemed unthinkable, the fact they have secured Champions league football coupled with Cole’s known admiration for Harry Redknapp suddenly makes a move a real viable option for the player who has hinted many times his desire to stay down south. Fleet Street seems certain that Cole will end up at Tottenham and the rumours around the club seem to suggest that it is only a matter of time before the move is announced.
It will be a bitter pill to swallow and I for one have to question the logic of the club in allowing a class act slip through our fingers. We will now have to pay in excess of £10m+ to replace him and with wages on top of that suddenly Cole’s wage demands suddenly appear the cheaper option. It makes no sense financially, but when has it ever done at the Bridge?
Written By Ted Mahon