JOE COLE EAGER TO QUIT LIVERPOOL FOR LILLE STAY
He took the unusual step, for an Englishman at least, of turning his back on the glitz and glamour of the Premier League to rebuild his career in the north of France last summer. Eight months on, he hasn't looked back.
And now as his season-long loan with Lille draws to a close, Joe Cole has spoken of his desire to remain at the club for the long-term.
Cole, 30, has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in Ligue 1, becoming an integral part of Rudi Garcia's side, who despite surrendering their league crown remain on course for Champions League football next season.
The former Chelsea man, who joined Lille after a dismal first season with Liverpool which was punctuated by injury, has slowly but surely recaptured his best form, netting eight goals in 35 games for the French club.
His form has been such that big-spending Paris Saint Germain, now managed by his former boss at Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti, are rumoured to be interesting in luring him to the French capital.
But Cole is taking no notice of interest from elsewhere and has set his sights on continuing his love affair with Lille, despite admitting he misses the "atmosphere" of the Premier League.
"I have been made very welcome here and I would like to (stay at Lille), but the decision isn't mine," Cole told L'Equipe. "I've spoken to no one at Liverpool. I am waiting for news from them."
Meanwhile, Cole has also spoken of his hope that team-mate Eden Hazard opts to the stay with the club next season, despite the much sought after Belgian winger admitting he wants a "new challenge" abroad with the Premier League his prefered destination.
"I hope that he [Hazard] will stay at Lille," said Cole. "But he will be a success anywhere he ll play"
As for the Premier League title race, Cole is very much in the red corner, tipping Manchester United to win a 20th league crown despite the money lavished on their city neighbours and title rivals City.
Comparisons have been made between City and Cole's former club Chelsea, who have also benefitted from having a billionaire owner in recent years, but the former West Ham prodigy believes there is a key difference.
"United will win. It will be long before City can compete. Money has been there for the past two or three years. We had this at Chelsea but we have won our first title because of the atmosphere, the players and the manager which were good."