Gary Lineker and Andy Cole are both in agreement over a “special” former Everton player who they believe brought out the best in them.
When it comes to goalscoring, Lineker and Cole are among the all-time greats to have graced the English game.
The Match of the Day host netted 233 times during his club career, including 38 times during a 53-match stint at Goodison Park.
Cole netted 265 times during his 600-game career, playing for the likes of Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth and Newcastle United.
Andy Cole and Gary Lineker in agreement over ‘special’ former Everton player
In an extremely interesting chat on the Rest is Football podcast, Cole and Lineker discussed the best goalscoring periods of their careers.
For Lineker, his 48 goals in 80 appearances for England was where he was most prolific. Cole found the back of the net frequently for Newcastle United, netting 68 goals in just 84 games.
Unsurprisingly, there was a common denominator present for Lineker and Cole, a certain Peter Beardsley. Lineker explained: “It’s interesting because I can relate to that. My goalscoring record with England when I played alongside Peter Beardsley was a better ratio than at any other time in my career. I looked up yours [Andy Cole], and it’s better with Peter Beardsley as well.”
Cole replied: ‘I’ve said many times that he was an individual who would get in positions where you’d expect him to shoot, and he’d square it to you to tap it in. That’s a special individual. I learnt a hell of a lot from him.
“He was the first person to tell me, ‘Just stand still’, and you’ll get yourself a couple of yards of space. I couldn’t believe how much space I had. I thought Peter was a genius. Playing this number ten position on the half turn, Peter was doing that in 92. Special player.”
Just how good was Peter Beardsley?
Listening to Lineker, Cole, and Alan Shearer talk about players who they believe are special is pretty compelling. We are talking about three of the best goalscorers this country has ever seen here!
For the pair to heap praise on Beardsley shows just how good the former Everton forward was.
Of course, he made his name at Newcastle United, scoring 121 goals in 326 games. But his Goodison Park record shouldn’t be sniffed at. 31 goal contributions in 84 games is a solid return.
And it should come as no surprise to see the former Toffees continually lauded by players of yesteryear.