Cole: Leaving Hammers hardest decision of my life

England midfielder Joe Cole tonight admitted leaving relegated West Ham to join Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea revolution was the hardest decision of his life.

Cole and Juan Sebastian Veron were today unveiled at a Stamford Bridge press conference, the latest recruits to the Chelsea cause.

Abramovich’s free-spending policy could make Chelsea serious title contenders this season, but Cole insists the decision to turn his back on First Division West Ham for one of the Premiership’s big-guns was still very difficult.

“Leaving West Ham was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make. But there are great things going on here at Chelsea and I want to be a part of them,” said the 21-year-old.

“It was every emotional – I’d been with the Hammers since I was a baby really. But even if West Ham hadn’t been relegated I wouldn’t have stayed. The time was right to move on and win things with another club.

“But it’s hard to say how I felt, how hard the decision was – I spoke to a lot of my friends at West Ham about the move and they felt the time was right.

“I spoke to Glenn (Roeder) and John Terry about it and they were full of praise for Chelsea. Ultimately though, I felt I’d gone as far as I could at West Ham as a player.”

Cole, whose yesterday completed a four-year deal with the Blues, faces a massive challenge if he is to force his way into a Chelsea midfield bristling with international talent.

Argentina star Veron and former Blackburn winger Damien Duff have also been drafted in over the summer to beef-up the midfield department.

But Cole, capped 10 times by England and with one international goal to his name, insists he is joining Chelsea to win a first team place – and hopes exposure to the Champions League will keep him in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England plans.

“I will learn my trade at Chelsea playing with some of the best players in the world, but also I want to play – no player wants to sit on the bench. I’ve come here to play as many games as I can,” he said.

“I trained with my new team-mates today for the first time – it was much faster than what I’ve been used to and I had to think about things more. But it’s not difficult with players like Veron alongside you.

“Falling out of England contention was tough – especially as I thought I was playing quite well for West Ham. The problem is if the team isn’t doing well then people don’t tend to notice individual performances.

“But getting into the England team on a regular basis is very important - I’ve got to play well so that Sven can’t leave me out. Playing in the Champions League will help.”

Cole was quick to reassure Ranieri he would have no problems dealing with the added pressure at Stamford Bridge – and believes his battling qualities on the pitch will be a worthy addition to the team.

He said: “I’ve been dealing with expectations since I was 17. People expect me to do amazing things every time I get the ball so I don’t think there will be much difference now I am here.

“I think I bring lots of qualities to the side but mainly I give it 100% all the time, fight for everything and accept any challenge that’s put before me.”

Cole’s talent has certainly caught the eye of his new team-mate Veron, who described the prodigiously talented youngster as the “best player in England”.