Joining Liverpool was a big mistake - Chelsea legend Joe Cole tells Mikel Obi

The former England international's injury-plagued journey from Chelsea to Liverpool is a story of what could have been during his tenure at Anfield.

After suffering a catastrophic knee injury in January 2009 while competing in the FA Cup against Southend United, Joe Cole's career took a dramatic turn for the worse.

He missed 11 months of work due to this ACL, PCL, and MCL injury, which was a turning point in his career.

Joe Cole gave a direct account of his career while appearing on "The Obi One Podcast," admitting that he regretted joining Liverpool.

Cole said, “I was never the same player after that. I done everything, ACL, PCL, MCL and I was out for 11 months. My body was just failing me… I really wrecked myself. That’s how my body was after it.”

The midfielder joined Liverpool after Chelsea chose to call off contract talks because of doubts about his fitness.

He joined Roy Hodgson's team at Anfield despite being a lifelong Chelsea supporter and wishing to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Although the transfer was perceived as a fresh start for Cole, it quickly became apparent that it was the wrong one.

He continued, “I had a choice between Liverpool or Spurs because Arsenal pulled out and I just couldn’t go to Spurs.

“If I could have my time again, I would probably go, ‘No, you know what, wait.’ And I’d have gone abroad, somewhere hot, because playing in the heat actually helped my knee. It didn’t work for me there but it is a fantastic club, an institution globally.”

Cole made only 42 appearances and five goals during his time at Liverpool as he battled to regain his form and health.

Meanwhile, Cole has weighed in on Chelsea's poor performance last season, including Nicolas Jackson's wastefulness in front of goal and has urged the club to have patience with the striker.