Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole has claimed his old club made a significant error in not attempting to sign Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during a period of contract uncertainty last season.
Chelsea's Missed Defensive Opportunity
Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, has been a cornerstone of their success, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His existing deal was due to expire in the summer of 2025, leading to speculation about his future before he signed a new two-year extension with the Reds last season.
Cole believes Chelsea should have tested Liverpool's resolve with a major offer. "I would have gone down the road of going really big for Virgil van Dijk when he was coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool last summer," Cole told Paddy Power. "You need seasoned winners in the side."
The Challenge of Chelsea's Rebuild
The ex-Blues winger admitted that attracting the world's elite remains a challenge for Chelsea in their current phase. He suggested looking at squads like Paris Saint-Germain, which he described as "bloated," or targeting players from clubs like Arsenal who may become available.
"Unfortunately, none of the top, top players are going to be coming to Chelsea, because if they’re available, then the Man City’s, the Arsenal’s and the Liverpool’s will come calling and they will go there first," Cole stated. "So Chelsea are still in their rebuilding phase."
Rosenior Needs Time, Says Cole
The latest step in that rebuild is the appointment of Liam Rosenior as head coach, following the sacking of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day. Rosenior began with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic, but Cole has urged for patience.
"He needs time, that’s the crucial thing," Cole emphasised. "There’s no magic wand to get things going straight away." He pointed to positive performances with ten men against Barcelona and Arsenal as proof of the squad's potential, but noted a recent loss to Fulham was a "real killer blow" in the tight race for Champions League qualification.
Chelsea's immediate focus turns to a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Wednesday, a fixture that will provide a stern test for Rosenior's new regime.
