After refusing to extend his contract with West Ham, the Hammers sold their player Joe Cole to Chelsea On 6th August 2003, for a £6.6 million transfer fee. The English attacking midfielder was Chelsea's 6th signing since their takeover, as a certain Russian billionaire named Roman Abramovich had purchased the club.
The move also meant that Cole would be reunited with his former West Ham teammate Glen Johnson at Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea's manager at the time, saw Cole as the perfect replacement for their recently departed legend Gianfranco Zola, who was released earlier that year.
In the end, the transfer was a win-win situation for all. The player and Chelsea both got their preferred outcome, while West Ham earned enough money to not sell any more players in that transfer window.
Debut campaign
Within a week after signing for Chelsea, Cole made his club debut in a UEFA Champions League qualifier away to Slovak side MŠK Žilina. The English attacking midfielder came on as a substitute for fellow new signing Damien Duff with 21 minutes remaining, and ultimately caused Michal Drahno to score an own goal to seal a 2–0 victory for Chelsea.
On 17th August, Cole made his Premier League debut for the Blues. He yet again came from the bench to replace Duff with 15 minutes remaining, as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1.
His first goal for Chelsea came 2 months later, as he came on as a substitute and scored in Chelsea's 4-2 League Cup win over Notts County. The next League Cup round took place in December, during which Cole scored yet again, but those efforts went in vain as Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1.
In the league, Cole only managed to score a single goal that season. This game in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, where he combined with Frank Lampard to score the goal.
First-team break through and league dominance
Injuries to fellow teammates Duff and Arjen Robben led to Cole becoming a first-team regular at Chelsea. He seized this opportunity with both hands, as he went on to score 10 goals for Chelsea that season. It was a historic campaign for Cole and his teammates, as they managed to become the 2004–05 Premier League Champions. In addition to this, they also won the League Cup after beating Liverpool 3-2 in the final after extra-time.
The following 2005–06 season saw a repeat of the previous campaign, as Cole continued his excellent form for Chelsea and led them to a second consecutive league title. His heroics also saw him earn a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
Cole was forced to undergo surgery the following year, for a stress fracture on his foot he suffered in late 2006. He eventually returned for Chelsea in the first leg of Chelsea's 1–1 draw in the Champions League quarter-final tie against Valencia. The Englishman started in Chelsea's 2007 FA Cup Final over Manchester United, which ended in a 1-0 win for The Blues. Thus, yet another title was added to Cole's coveted collection.
A heartbreaking season
The 2007–08 was one of heartbreak for Chelsea, especially Cole. He performed magnificently throughout the season, helping Chelsea reach 2 finals. These heroics saw him score 10 goals and provide 8 assists in all competitions that season.
Chelsea faced Spurs in the League Cup final, which ended in a 2-1 win for the latter. The biggest heartbreak however, was yet to come. Cole and his teammates managed to reach the Champions League finals, where Manchester United awaited them. The match extended till penalties, where United had the final laugh. Chelsea's European dreams were shattered.
As for Cole, he received the consolation prize of being awarded the 2008 Chelsea Player of the Year 2008 accolade.
Final seasons and departure
Cole's final years in Chelsea were overshadowed by injuries. However, he was able to make important contributions in his few appearances during the 2009–10 season. The biggest of these was his goal in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester United, which was a title-deciding game. This was also coincidentally his 250th game for the club.
He also made an appearance in Chelsea's FA Cup final match against Portsmouth, which the Blues won 1-0. Thus Cole ended his final Chelsea season with yet another League and FA Cup title.
Chelsea's legendary attacking midfielder left the club in 2010 after 7 glorious years. He will always be remembered as one of their very best.
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