Anthony Gardner, a former Tottenham defender with two England caps, has named Joe Cole as the most talented player of England's Golden Generation, placing him above the likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
Gardner made his Three Lions debut in 2004, playing alongside Gareth Southgate against Sweden. He shared a pitch with Gerrard that day, while Beckham and Lampard were part of his first camp a year earlier. Despite that company, Gardner singled out Cole, who was 19 when he made his senior England debut as a West Ham player before moving to Chelsea.
Cole stood out in training
Cole was a non-playing member of the Euro 2004 squad shortly after playing with Gardner at IFK Goteborg, remaining on the bench as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side lost to Portugal on penalties. Eriksson selected a midfield four of Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard and Paul Scholes for that game, but Gardner believes Cole had the measure of them all.
“He's a little bit younger, maybe a year or two younger so I didn't play against him growing up,” Gardner told Express Sport. “But I played against West Ham at the time and he was the one that stood out.”
“The levels of [England] training in general stood out to me. Obviously I was at a big club in Spurs but the level when all these boys from the top clubs come together and play for England and train, it's another step up. But then he was the one where I was like 'Wow, this boy is unreal'. There's top top players everywhere but he just caught my eye. People ask me today who was the one that stood out and I say Joe.”
Debt to Southgate on debut
Gardner was grateful to make his debut at all, having missed a defeat against Denmark after his back spasmed in training, following a five-hour motorway drive to Manchester that left him late for his first camp. Southgate proved a big help when the debut arrived, with the pair coming on for John Terry and Jonathan Woodgate against Sweden.
“He helped me that day, that night a lot,” Gardner said. “I was pretty young, like 23 and playing away and playing against a team like Sweden. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic was playing up front that day. He was a tough, tough player to play against but [Southgate] was very helpful and you can see the quality that he had as a player and as a leader.”
“Would I have said he would maybe have been the England manager? Maybe not, probably not. He was very quiet but just led in his own way. But he did well for England and fair play to what he went on to do. As far as I'm concerned, he was probably the best England manager I've seen in the last 40 years.”
Charity boxing venture
Gardner was speaking around his involvement in Pro Project Promotions' 'A Night to Remember III', a charity boxing night featuring former footballers. He beat former Fulham defender Matthew Briggs by unanimous decision, while other bouts included a win for Sebastien Bassong against Armand Traore.
He encouraged other former players to follow the same path to fill the post-football gap. “I'd say jump at the chance,” he said. “If you're interested in boxing it's a perfect opportunity to maybe go in like me. It's kind of a boyhood dream to be stepping in the ring and competing. I did a little bit of combat sports when I was younger but to actually go in the ring and feel the energy is a big thrill, something that can probably only be replicated from playing football.”
“So that's one reason. The other reason is to go in there and make a difference and help people that are maybe in need of help more so than ourselves. While we're fit and strong and able to do that, and use our influence, why shouldn't we? It's been a revelation for me because it's kept me busy, kept me fit. And it's nice to be able to be able to, post football, give back in some aspects.”
