The Joe Cole Debate: Cole or Steven Gerrard Behind Fernando Torres?

With the signing of free agent Joe Cole, Liverpool look to have trumped their close competition for a popular and skillful player. 

My immediate question is: Can he be that good if Chelsea was willing to part with him on a free? 

If he were good enough, they would undoubtedly break into their team, and undoubtedly be paid what he believes himself to be worth. 

These are topics for another day. This article will focus on the roles Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard. 

Joe Cole has not made it a secret that he wants to play in the No. 10 position, the hole behind the striker. Now unless I'm very much mistaken, this is one of few positions that Liverpool doesn't need to strengthen.

Unless, of course, Cole is Gerrard's replacement—something I doubt—then these two players will have to learn to play in harmony.

Phil Thompson, a former Scouse player and caretaker manager, suggested that Cole take the creative position and Gerrard drops back into a deeper and more traditional midfield role.

This would surely be detrimental for Liverpool, considering Gerrard's goal threat and direct style of play. Add to this Gerrard's lack of natural defensive positioning in his current role, and it sounds suspiciously similar to changing Gerrard's position.

Remember how effective he was the last time he was asked to do this?

Gerrard is a more natural finisher than Cole, while Cole has quicker and cleverer feet. Both have a good eye for a pass, and critically, in these jingoistic post-World Cup times, both are English.

Who fills the gap? It is a possibility that Roy Hodgeson will employ both in attacking midfield positions with Mascherano as the lone defensive midfielder, but to do so is to rick being overrun in midfield when striker, wingers, and both midfielders attack.

Hodgeson would do away with wingers, and play a narrow formation with Gerrard and Cole offering the required width when needed. This would have the dual advantage of allowing Liverpool's other new signing, Jovanovic, to play.

The most likely situation is that Cole is put on the left wing. He can play this position, but it is not his favoured one. He is right footed, and drifts in as well as being far less accurate with his left foot.

Cole is a good player and Hodgeson is a good manager, and perhaps he can integrate him more effectively than I am suggesting, but it could be an expensive experiment for Liverpool if Cole's wage and sign-on fee demands have been met..."free" agent or not.  

What are your thoughts on the matter? Can these two play well together or will it be another Gerrard and Lampard situation? Let me know below.