I get to be as self-indulgent as I want without wasting anyone's time. Guilt-free solipsism -- excellent!

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I can't imagine that this means anything to most of you but I have to acknowledge the sadness I feel on the day that West Ham sells Joe Cole -- England's great hope, heart and soul of the club, the player more than any other who battled valiantly to keep us in the Premiership -- to rivals Chelsea FC.



It's been known for a while that he was unlikely to sign a new contract, but because he so clearly loved West Ham, there was always the hope....

The last few weeks have seen the nucleus of the club's future sold off to Chelsea. Glen Johnson and Joe Cole -- two young kids under 22 who bucked the cynical money-grubbing trend and evidenced real love and passion for West Ham, two kids who are guaranteed to be England regulars for the next 10-12 years, two kids who represented the hopes of long-suffering West Ham supporters -- forced to move because the board failed to invest enough to keep the club in the Premiership. After relegation, they assured the fans there was no need to sell the core of the team, but now they have done just that.

I feel sick seeing the headline, I will feel sick seeing Joe in Chelsea blue, I will feel sick hearing those lucky Chelsea fans* singing about Joey Cole, but I will follow his exploits with pride. Best of luck, Joe -- you did everything you could. You'll always have a warm reception at Upton Park.

The only silver lining is that he didn't go to Man U.

*A few weeks ago, out of the blue, Chelsea was purchased by a Russian billionaire who has proceeded to spend 43 million pounds ($69,000,000) to bring in some of the best players in the world -- and there are more to come. By definition, things like that do not happen to West Ham United.

| posted by Alex at 1:14 PM