Cole happy with Hazard

Lille midfielder Joe Cole has heaped praise on his team-mate, and reported Arsenal and Liverpool target, Eden Hazard.

The 29-year-old Cole joined the French club on loan in the summer after an unhappy season at Liverpool, but has already formed an impressive on-field relationship with the young Belgian.

“Eden is a special player with all the qualities of a great footballer – physically, technically, mentally, he has everythig. He can certainly become one of the best players in the world. And on top of that, he is a good guy,” Cole said in an interview with FranceFootball.

The former Chelsea man also spoke of his experience in Ligue 1, stating that he knows he has made the correct decision in moving to France.

“English people, in general, are not great travellers, and nor are we great at going somewhere and staying there. As soon as I arrived at the Luchin (Lille’s training ground), I knew that I had made the right decision. I felt the spirit right away,” Cole said.

“Ligue 1 is very technical, and very tactical. That is the main philosophy of this league. Players in Ligue 1 are very intelligent. Everything is thought through. It is very different to England, but I wouldn’t say its better or worse, though.”

Cole scored his first goal in Ligue 1 in the 1-1 draw with Lorient last month, and has already expressed an interest in making his loan move permanent.