Chelsea urged to follow Leverkusen transfer blueprint by club legend

Cameron Smith

• 20 May 2024 06:30 CDT
• 4 min read

Chelsea legend Joe Cole believes his former club should copy Bayer Leverkusen by signing experienced players this summer.

The Blues have spent over €1 billion on new signings since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022, but they have focused purely on adding some of the best youngsters in world football, rather than proven performers.

Estevao Willian is expected to become the latest wonderkid to join Chelsea after the west London club reached an agreement in principle to sign the 17-year-old from Brazilian club Palmeiras.

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However, Cole has urged the Stamford Bridge outfit to sign experienced players this summer.

With Thiago Silva leaving to re-join Fluminense on a free transfer, Raheem Sterling will be the oldest outfield player in Chelsea’s squad at just 29 years old.

Despite an encouraging end to the season, Cole has told Chelsea to prioritise older players in the summer. He told TalkSPORT: “What is very important is the recruitment in the summer. You need experience, I wouldn’t say anywhere in particular.

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“I don’t think the club [Chelsea] need to add any more young players, they need experience.

“Very similar to what Bayer Leverkusen have done. They brought in Jonas Hofmann and another senior player [Granit Xhaka], you can’t put a value on that.

“I think if I was advising the club, it would be two or three players in. Experienced players who know how to win games, good characters, set the tone in the dressing room.”

What has Joe Cole said about Conor Gallagher?

In addition, Cole also praised Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who was one of Mauricio Pochettino’s favoured players during the 2023-24 season. The England international has been heavily linked with a summer exit, amid interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, but Cole believes Chelsea must retain the 24-year-old.

“Conor Gallagher can’t leave,” he said. “I know there are issues financially but Conor Gallagher has been brilliant, from start to finish.

“Everyone has turned up in the last few weeks but Conor, you see a great player when he is playing in a struggling team. Conor was still there, captain as well.

“I think it is imperative that the club keeps him.”