Joe Cole sent a transparent transfer message to the Chelsea board after the club’s ‘really disappointing’ run of form continued with a defeat to Atalanta within the Champions League.
Just just a few weeks ago Enzo Maresca’s side were tipped as dark horses within the Premier League and Champions League after a formidable 3-0 win over La Liga champions Barcelona.
But Chelsea have did not win 4 games in a row since thumping Barca, slipping to fifth within the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Joao Pedro gave Chelsea the lead at Atalanta on Tuesday night however the hosts scored two second-half goals to clinch a 2-1 win.
The defeat leaves Chelsea eleventh within the Champions League and they’re going to almost definitely slip even further down the table after Wednesday’s European fixtures.
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Cole described Chelsea’s performance in Italy as ‘really disappointing’ and said it was further proof that his former club have to bolster Maresca’s squad with some experienced players.
Chelsea have spent a fortune since Todd Boehly took over the club in 2022but latest signings have been mainly young, promising players reasonably than ready-made talent.
‘It’s really disappointing,’ Cole told TNT Sports after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Atalanta. ‘Chelsea matched them comfortably in the primary half and took the lead.
‘But they looked shaky after that and the frailties are clearly there. It’s frustrating.
‘The performances against Barcelona and Chelsea were statements but they’ve followed that up with three below-par performances where the standards haven’t been there.
‘I just keep coming back to it, I feel like there must be a bit more experience within the squad to assist the team get through these tricky games.
‘The coaches would have told them what to anticipate tonight and at Elland Road but there’s something about having an experienced player in your team to get you thru.
‘Chelsea are just not quite there yet. There’s promise and a few great performances but then there’s performances like tonight which drop off.
‘It makes this weekend very, very vital because that’s 4 games with out a win now. The Everton game is must-win.’
One other former Chelsea star, Steve Sidwell, added: ‘The primary half was even but they Chelsea looked disjointed within the second half and possibly that’s due to the changes made.
‘They looked just a few yards off it and for those who give time and space to players of this quality then you’re going to get punished.’
Chelsea’s hopes of automatic qualification within the Champions League are within the balance after a disappointing lead to Italy.
Maresca’s side play host to Pafos of their next European game on January 21 before visiting Serie A champions Napoli the next week.
Rating Chelsea’s probabilities ahead of their final two games, Cole added: ‘You’d expect them to beat Pafos at home after which it sets up an incredible tie at Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
‘There can be jeopardy in that game. You don’t should finish within the top-eight but you would like to avoid those extra games since the Premier League is unforgiving.’
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