Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has declared that his old club was absolutely right to sell winger Noni Madueke, believing the emergence of teenage prodigy Estevao has fully justified the difficult decision.
A Transfer That Made Sense
Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole analysed the summer transfer which saw England international Madueke join rivals Arsenal, a move that paved the way for Estevao to become a central figure at Stamford Bridge. "That transfer always made sense to me," Cole stated, explaining why Chelsea were "correct" in their strategic shift.
He elaborated on the club's philosophy, noting, "You want to get the best young players in your club. The debate with Chelsea has always been what is the right amount for those transfers to get done."
This major call was part of a £285 million spending spree last summer under owner Todd Boehly, which also saw arrivals Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, and Liam Delap as the Blues aggressively reinforced their attacking options.
Estevao's Meteoric Rise
The 18-year-old Brazilian forward, signed from Palmeiras for £29 million a year prior, initially showed flashes of his potential. However, since October, his development has accelerated dramatically.
Stepping up in the absence of the injured Cole Palmer, Estevao has established himself as manager Enzo Maresca's most potent attacking weapon. His form has been nothing short of spectacular, with nine goals in his last 13 appearances for both Chelsea and his national team.
Cole was effusive in his praise, highlighting a specific performance. "Bringing Estevao in was a no-brainer. Against Barcelona, he was brilliant from the off and really lifts the team up," he said. "I've always said he's going to gradually get more important, and by the end of the season, he'd be regularly starting the big games. It seems that's now happening before Christmas. He's a fantastic player, and the fans have got a new darling. It's exciting times for Chelsea."
Title Race on the Line in London Derby
The conversation turned to the highly anticipated London derby against league leaders Arsenal, where Estevao will be crucial. Chelsea, riding a three-match winning streak, can close the gap at the top to just three points with a victory at Stamford Bridge.
Cole, a three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea, believes a win would thrust his former club firmly into the title conversation. "If Chelsea win against Arsenal, they've crept into the title race," he asserted.
However, he also provided a balanced assessment, acknowledging Arsenal's strengths. "My heart wants Chelsea to win, of course, but in my head, I see no vulnerabilities when watching Arsenal. Compared to Chelsea, Arsenal have that extra maturity, more power through the middle of the pitch, and as a squad, they've been together longer. Those three factors are really important when it comes to winning league titles."
Despite Madueke enjoying a positive start to his career in North London, Cole's analysis suggests Chelsea's bold decision to bet on a younger, emerging talent is already paying significant dividends.
