'I have a lot to offer' - Chelsea legend pleas to help new owners

James Shearman

• 20 Apr 2023 19:25 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has offered his services to the club's new owners ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 41-year-old has questioned whether the Chelsea hierarchy know 'what it takes' to represent the team.

Writing for The Telegraph, Cole insists that he, as well as other of the Blues' past players, can help the club going forward.

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''There is a reason clubs like Bayern Munich and Ajax have a policy of bringing their former players back in to oversee the next generation,'' Cole said. ''There are some things that you only know from having experienced them.

''The new ownership of Chelsea, led by the consortium co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, have recognised the need for investment. Who are they listening to the most?

''I can only assume that Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Christopher Vivell and Joe Shields, the four recruitment directors, can assess the market as well as anyone in that position.

''But who might tell them about the other aspects of what it takes to play for this club? And also, the signs that suggest a player might not be capable?''

Joe Cole offers help to owners

Cole made 187 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, winning the title on three occasions.

He also won three domestic cups and was part of the side that lost the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United.

While his ability to help the Blues' owners is unknown, one thing is for sure: his understanding of the winning culture that was present under previous owner Roman Abramovich.

''When Petr Cech was part of the last Roman Abramovich administration, I felt sure that there was a connection with the days of the most successful teams of the previous decades,'' Cole added. ''Who provides that now?

''I supported Chelsea as a boy. I was signed 20 years ago in the first Roman Abramovich summer. I played there for seven years through some of the most successful seasons in its history. I coached in the academy. I watch every game.

''I know that myself and many others like me from that era, including Frank [Lampard] and Ashley Cole, have a lot to offer the club in the long-term. We would love the opportunity to contribute.

''Chelsea has something special – different to the great qualities of Real Madrid, or [Manchester] United, or Bayern - and it is the former players who can keep that alive and pass it on to the next generation.''