“That is crucial for the football club” - Joe Cole sends strong advice on Pochettino to ‘rigid’ Chelsea owners
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has sent a message to the team's owners regarding their recruitment policy and manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Since taking over at the Stamford Bridge club in 2022, Todd Boehly and Co. have spent more than £1 billion in the transfer market. Youth first has been the team's approach in the market and they have recruited some of the hottest prospects in world football.
However, they continue to struggle on the pitch and the consensus is that the team lacks experience. Cole has now said that the owners should let go of the rigid approach and hand Pochettino transfer reigns. He thinks his former side need to find the right blend of experience and youth. Cole said (via Football.London):
"From what I understand about the owners, they want to buy youth and under-24s, 25s, and they are very rigid."
Cole then pointed out Chelsea's lack of experience in front of the goal. The team have often struggled to find the back of the net regularly and Cole reckons they need an experienced goalscorer. He added:
"You couldn’t have got Harry Kane who would have been the dream. Ronaldo went to Saudi Arabia and he’s getting old. Osimhen wasn’t available at the time, so you have to be a bit smarter with your recruitment."
He further said:
"You think we’re not going to go for that now, we’ll maybe put a bid in for Ivan Toney because we know he is going to score goals, he may or may not become the next Didier Drogba or Diego Costa."
Cole's verdict was that great managers always look to find a proper balance in the team and Pochettino should be handed the responsibility of recruiting players. He said:
"All the great managers of the past would buy players when they become available and pick specifics, the team is crying out for experience, and just let Poch decide the players he wants to come in, I think that is crucial for the football club.”
Chelsea brought in Pochettino at the start of the season to steady a struggling ship. The job is far from done as the Blues sit eighth in the Premier League table with 31 points from 21 matches.
Joe Cole lavishes praise on Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer scored the solitary goal of the match as Chelsea defeated Fulham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in their latest Premier League game on January 13. Palmer netted a penalty in the injury time of the first half (45+4').
Cole has been left impressed with Palmer's displays since joining the Stamford Bridge club in the summer. He said about the 21-year-old (via The Boot Room):
“Cole Palmer has been outstanding. He is a real talent, believe me, and these fans have really taken to him. And he has taken to the club.”
Since his summer transfer from Manchester City for a reported £40 million fee, Palmer has registered nine goals and seven assists in 22 appearances for Chelsea.