Former England and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King has made a remarkable claim about the most naturally talented player he ever shared a pitch with, placing Joe Cole above the iconic midfield trio of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.
The Unlikely Choice Above Icons
In an interview with BetMGM, King was asked to reflect on the most gifted English talents of his generation. While he acknowledged the immense achievements of Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes, he pointed to a different former international teammate as the ultimate natural talent.
Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes are widely considered three of the finest midfielders England has ever produced. Steven Gerrard was Liverpool's talisman for 17 years, making over 700 appearances. Frank Lampard is Chelsea's record goalscorer and a three-time Premier League champion. Paul Scholes won 25 trophies at Manchester United, marking him as one of the game's most decorated players.
Yet King, who earned 21 caps for England, believes Cole possessed a rare, instinctive magic that even those legends could not match in pure technical terms.
"Pure Magic" and Brazilian Flair
"I want to see match-winners and players that get people off their seats," King explained. "The one for me was Joe Cole, who I can, hand on heart, say was the most naturally gifted English player that I played with."
King did concede that Wayne Rooney was probably the "best" overall player due to his powerful mix of attributes. However, on the specific question of innate, raw ability, Cole was his standout.
He recalled the young Cole, who burst onto the scene at West Ham United, as a uniquely thrilling prospect. "When he was 16 or 17 years old, Joe was different to everyone," King said. "He was different from all the English kids, he played like he was Brazilian."
King suggested that Cole's game evolved into a more disciplined, team-oriented style after his high-profile move to Chelsea in 2003, where he won three Premier League titles.
A Magician Compared to Stevie G
Drawing a direct comparison with one of English football's modern greats, King offered a vivid description of Cole's gifts. "He was more natural than Stevie G [Steven Gerrard]. Stevie could do everything, but Joe was just a magician of a player," he stated.
Reflecting on what might have been, King added, "I’m sure he’d probably say the same thing if he looks back on all that he’s achieved – he could have actually been even better than he was."
Joe Cole, who earned 56 caps for England between 2001 and 2010, retired from playing in 2018. He has since transitioned into a respected punditry role, frequently appearing on TNT Sports. His career, which included spells at West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa, is now remembered with a fresh perspective following King's glowing tribute to his unparalleled natural talent.
