JOE COLE “fell off Frank Lampard’s Christmas card list” after making a huge claim about his former Chelsea team-mate.
The Stamford Bridge favourite was on punditry duty at Selhurst Park yesterday as Crystal Palace took on Manchester City.
AlamyKevin De Bruyne was in stunning form against Crystal Palace[/caption]
RexJoe Cole was at Selhurst Park for TNT Sports alongside Rio Ferdinand[/caption]
Graham Hughes – The TimesCole played with Lampard for club and country for many years[/caption]
Alongside fellow analyst Rio Ferdinand, Cole witnessed a sensational performance from Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian, 32, scored two delicious goals in the 4-2 win – curling his first into the top corner with his right foot before later belting a second in with his left.
After the game, Cole showered the City superstar with superlatives.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the 42-year-old said: “Beautiful… he is the godfather of attacking midfielders in world football.
“I still think he’s the best of the bunch.”
Ferdinand, 45, then asked Cole how De Bruyne compares with his former Chelsea team-mate Lampard.
Cole didn’t shirk the question, responding: “I think he sits above everyone, I really do.
“I include Frank, Scholesy (Paul Scholes) and Stevie (Gerrard) and everyone – and they are great players of their time.
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“It’s always difficult to compare through eras because the rules change, the pitches change, the balls change, the training methods… everything changes.
“But he’s certainly the best of this era… outstanding.”
Smirking, Ferdinand then joked: “Joe’s just fallen off Frank Lampard’s Christmas card list.”
De Bruyne sustained a serious hamstring injury just 23 minutes into City’s opening day clash with Burnley.
He subsequently missed four months of action before returning around the turn of the year.
The City talisman has been an integral player once again since making his comeback, netting three goals and laying on six assists in 11 Prem appearances this term.
Pep Guardiola‘s champions are a point behind leaders Arsenal and trail second-placed Liverpool on goal difference, albeit with Jurgen Klopp‘s men possessing a game in hand.
