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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.
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Published November 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 27, 2025
As someone who grew up a Chelsea fan watching Joe Cole, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like getting a closer, more personal look into his mind, his career, and the moments that shaped him as a player and a person. This was truly an honest and insightful perspective on the sport only he can give. A great read for any Chelsea supporter or anyone who loves the game.
January 5, 2026
Far more than your usual ex-footballer’s mundane memoir, it is a look back on the life and career of a genuine human being, a wonderfully talented player who gave many, including me, many hours of pleasure.
I was in the stadium in Cologne to see his greatest England goal in 2006 against Sweden as well as his audacious goal against Manchester United that sealed the Premier League for Chelsea in the same year.
Congratulations must go to Sam Wallis for putting Joe’s words and memories into a thoughtful, honest and enjoyable read.
I was in the stadium in Cologne to see his greatest England goal in 2006 against Sweden as well as his audacious goal against Manchester United that sealed the Premier League for Chelsea in the same year.
Congratulations must go to Sam Wallis for putting Joe’s words and memories into a thoughtful, honest and enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews