With 107 caps to his name, Cole is widely considered as one of, if not the greatest, left-backs in English history.
So how fortunate Tino Livramento must feel to be learning from the former Arsenal and Chelsea defender, who is now Lee Carsley’s assistant manager in the England Under-21 set-up.
And how much of a boost it must be for the Newcastle defender to hear that Cole thinks so highly of him.
“I had the fortune to be around him when he was at Chelsea,” said Cole this week.
“He was in the 21s in the reserve group. You always see the passion and level he could get to. But of course, there’s only a certain level of information we can give him.
“It’s down to the players to take on that information, absorb it, and want to learn and listen and develop and get better. He’s certainly one of them players.
“I think him getting the opportunity at Newcastle and continuing to play first in football gave him the belief, the confidence in his own ability.
“And of course, a manager that’s trusted him to play at such a young age. He had quite a big challenge going to Newcastle. I think he’s developing into a top player.”
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And he’s showing he’s a big game player, too. Livramento was the game’s star in England’s opening European Championships group-opening victory over the Czech Republic this week. And back in March, in the Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, he frustrated Mo Salah, who hardly got a kick.
“Certainly in that game, he showed the levels that he can get to,” said Cole.
“As coach, you stand on the sideline and see how much information he takes on and takes on board. And I keep saying it, but the willingness to want to learn and be the best, I think is always a great trait to have.
“Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to because he’s got that personality and desire.
“I think he’s got a beautiful future, a bright future. Long may it continue that he keeps playing for Newcastle, keeps gaining experience and keeps his levels up.”
Newcastle certainly have no intentions of allowing Livramento to be playing for anybody else next season. Manchester City were and are keen on the 22-year-old but boss Eddie Howe has made it absolutely clear that he’s desperate to keep hold of the versatile full-back.
He’s a star for Newcastle and there’s every chance he’ll establish himself as just as important for England moving forward. Senior boss Thomas Tuchel told Livramento he thinks he’d benefit from spending the summer with the Under-21s but the Newcastle man is very much part of the German’s plans.
And while Livramento is with the Under-21s, Cole is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to pass on his experiences and expertise.
“My job is to try and give all my experiences to every single player,” he said.
“You do favour certain players and certain attitudes. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a great person, always willing to listen.
“I try not to compare myself to these guys. The information and detail I give is, we’re a different stature. We have a different style of play. And it’s just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.
“He – and all the players – take on board the information we’re giving, and you start to see that flourish in games. The more competitions they’re in and the more game time they get, they’re only going to improve.
“My game was a lot of understanding puzzles and what’s going on; asking ‘where’s the next pass going to be?’, and trying to anticipate it.
“I try to give that little bit of knowledge as I’m playing. I can’t run anymore, so it’s more of a gob – which I’ve calmed down a bit! – but it’s still there.
“I try to give as much as I can. But I don’t want to make them overthink at times as well.
“They’ve got to find themselves. They’ve got to find the position for themselves and they’ve got to make it.”
