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Joe Cole, Luxury Player: The candid memoir from the Chelsea, West Ham and England legend
A WATERSTONES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025
'EVOCATIVE' The Guardian
'COMPELLING AND BRILLIANTLY CANDID' Daily Mail
'A GREAT BOOK' Jake Humphrey, High Performance Podcast
CANDID, RAW AND UNFORGETTABLE, THIS IS JOE COLE'S STORY - A MUST-READ FOR ANY FOOTBALL FAN
One of the best players of his era, Joe Cole grew up playing football in North London's estates, and his ability, grit and hard work took him to the very top. But Joe was often mistrusted by managers and out of step with the style of English football in the 2000s. The game was suspicious of creative footballers it considered luxury players - the kind it could regard as an indulgence.
With honesty and an eye for the absurdities of football, Joe takes us inside the dressing room to reveal it all. From his days at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall and rising through the ranks as a teenage prodigy at West Ham, to signing for Roman Abramovich's Chelsea and winning it all under José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, before being discarded by his boyhood club after a remarkable 7-year spell.
He offers an insider account of a fascinating era in modern football, playing alongside the likes of Lampard and Drogba, Beckham and Rooney, Gerrard and Di Canio. He talks about his experiences playing for England's so-called Golden Generation, his extraordinary goal against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup, and the reality of being managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
It was a remarkable career. Then came the tumultuous end, as Joe battled severe injuries and his family suffered loss. He takes us on the journey of a great player coming to terms with his waning powers as his body began to fail him and the sport moved on. Football had given him everything. But then, it was over.
'EVOCATIVE' The Guardian
'COMPELLING AND BRILLIANTLY CANDID' Daily Mail
'A GREAT BOOK' Jake Humphrey, High Performance Podcast
CANDID, RAW AND UNFORGETTABLE, THIS IS JOE COLE'S STORY - A MUST-READ FOR ANY FOOTBALL FAN
One of the best players of his era, Joe Cole grew up playing football in North London's estates, and his ability, grit and hard work took him to the very top. But Joe was often mistrusted by managers and out of step with the style of English football in the 2000s. The game was suspicious of creative footballers it considered luxury players - the kind it could regard as an indulgence.
With honesty and an eye for the absurdities of football, Joe takes us inside the dressing room to reveal it all. From his days at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall and rising through the ranks as a teenage prodigy at West Ham, to signing for Roman Abramovich's Chelsea and winning it all under José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, before being discarded by his boyhood club after a remarkable 7-year spell.
He offers an insider account of a fascinating era in modern football, playing alongside the likes of Lampard and Drogba, Beckham and Rooney, Gerrard and Di Canio. He talks about his experiences playing for England's so-called Golden Generation, his extraordinary goal against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup, and the reality of being managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
It was a remarkable career. Then came the tumultuous end, as Joe battled severe injuries and his family suffered loss. He takes us on the journey of a great player coming to terms with his waning powers as his body began to fail him and the sport moved on. Football had given him everything. But then, it was over.
- GenresFootball
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 20, 2025
T'is the season so yes, I went and treated myself to a brand, spanking new footballer autobiography and one by a player that, during his career, was impossible to dislike. Due to his flair, willingness to take players on, passing and occasional audacity when in sight of goal, Joe Cole was a shining light of creativity during the late-90's to 2010's, a time when pressing and physicality was king in English top-flight football. The ex-Chelsea star tells his story, growing up around the mean streets of Camden, football propelling him from a potential life of criminality and mediocrity, becoming captain of West Ham at 19, moving to his beloved Chelsea, his relationships with managers such as Jose Mourinho and Sven-Goran Eriksson, the injuries, the money, the fame, his family and post-retirement, it's all here and presented in a straight-forward and almost gentle tone. As a Chelsea fan myself, I had a vested interest in this and that golden time of 2003-2010, but I immediately found Cole to be a pleasant and respectful storyteller. He also had an upbringing that I connected to (criminal father, resilient mother) and completely identified with it. This book has that winning combination of being a worthwhile story told by a likeable and positive personality. A great choice for all football fans.
January 29, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. As an ex semi pro player and and football fan it was so refreshing for the honesty and relatability that came across in this book
The personal aspects were relevant, which is something i don’t always find in autobiographies.
I couldn’t recommend it enough to any football fan and I especially enjoyed the chapters on his time in France and the USA and how it linked to his family and his outlook on life.
Came across as such a nice, honest person which after reading his book I think he would be happy with that opinion
The personal aspects were relevant, which is something i don’t always find in autobiographies.
I couldn’t recommend it enough to any football fan and I especially enjoyed the chapters on his time in France and the USA and how it linked to his family and his outlook on life.
Came across as such a nice, honest person which after reading his book I think he would be happy with that opinion
January 12, 2026
One of the best I've read in terms of insight and behind the scenes stories I wasn't aware of.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews