Every career has at least one crossroad.
For Joe Cole, a player marked for stardom at every turn of his young life, the first one has arrived rather more abruptly than he might have anticipated. The last two weekends have exposed the brightest teenager in English football to excruciating torment. If talk of a crisis is exaggerated, unthinkable questions are being asked of the kid who was born to lead England to glory. Some West Ham fans are even wondering whether Cole may not benefit from respite on the sidelines. Former West Ham and England midfielder Trevor Brooking told Soccernet 'The first dilemma, whether for Harry Red-knapp or Sven Goran Eriksson, is to determine what Joe's best position is.