I regret leaving Chelsea for Liverpool – but I was wrecked and didn't have a choice

Joe Cole spent seven successful years at Chelsea before joining Liverpool on a free transfer in 2010 - but the move did not work out as he had hoped

Joe Cole has openly expressed his regret over leaving Chelsea for Liverpool, despite the allure of playing for another of England's footballing giants.

The ex-England star, who is now 42, enjoyed a trophy-laden seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge, clinching three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup. His free transfer to Liverpool in the summer of 2010 was seen as quite the steal for the Reds.

However, the move came after a tough season that saw Cole sidelined for almost a year due to a serious knee injury, just as he was negotiating an extension with Chelsea. Post-injury, talks to stay put in west London fizzled out, leading to a decision he'd later lament.

Cole delved into the reasons behind his departure on John Obi Mikel's The Obi One podcast earlier this year, saying: "My ego got involved a little bit and football was more of a struggle. I would play, knee would blow up. I couldn't do certain things that I used to be able to do.

"I needed an ice pack [after every game on my knee], I was in a lot of pain. It's very rare you get back to where you were... something subconsciously clicked and I thought to myself, 'I'm never going to get [back] to the player I was. I've got to leave.' Because I don't want to finish my Chelsea career just sitting there on the injury table."

Cole's stint at Anfield was far from a fairy tale, with his debut marred by a red card against Arsenal and a series of injuries limiting him to just 42 appearances before he made his way back to West Ham in January 2013.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca gives huge Chelsea injury update on Reece James ahead of Liverpool clash

READ MORE:Arne Slot confirms Liverpool injury 'issues' as he rules out huge player for Chelsea clash

Despite the setbacks, Cole still speaks highly of Liverpool, but admits he has second thoughts about his decision. "I had a choice between Liverpool or Spurs because Arsenal pulled out and I just couldn't go to Spurs," he revealed (via the Mirror).

"I just couldn't go. It would have made sense, Harry Redknapp was the manager, they had a good team, I lived in London, half my pals are Spurs fans. I just couldn't do it."

Reflecting on what might have been, Cole expressed: "My daughter was just born and Liverpool is a great club. It didn't work for me there but it is a fantastic club, an institution globally. But if I could have my time again, I would probably go, 'No, you know what, wait.' And I'd have gone abroad, somewhere hot, because playing in the heat actually helped my knee."

football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel

Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!

Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.

Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!