15 Ex-Premier League players you didn't know were still active

15 Ex-Premier League players you didn’t know were still active

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Frank Lampard of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge stadium on April 8, 2014 in London, England, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

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Wasted Talent

Joe Cole, the footballer that was once the face of English soccer had world-class potential that went unfulfilled. When you’re linked to Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United as teenager and being compared to Paul Gascoigne in terms of sheer ability, that meant you had quite a potential to be an elite footballer.

However, it was West Ham that penned Cole, and the youngster made his professional debut at the tender age of 17 against Swansea City in FA Cup third round fixture in January 2, 1999.

After Hammers were relegated following the 2003 campaign, Cole signed for Chelsea, where he would spent the next seven years of his career. The former England international scored 28 goals in 182 matches for the Blues.

On May 4, 2016, Cole signed for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League.

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