Chelsea are back in the Champions League and former midfielder Joe Cole reckons a proven goalscorer is a must if Enzo Maresca's team are to close the gap further on the top three next season

Joe Cole says a summer of calm is necessary at Chelsea regardless of the outcome in Wednesday night's Conference League final against Real Betis and next month’s Club World Cup.
And even though he does not agree with all elements of their divisive recruitment approach, Cole believes that another two years are required before the owners’ daring strategy can be defined as a success or bust.
The former midfielder believes silverware can act as a springboard under the stewardship of Todd Boehly and Bedhad Eghbali but stresses another window of chaos could have a detrimental effect on Enzo Maresca’s young charges.
“The club has had so much going on, it needs continuity,” Cole said. “It's been a good season because there's been progress. The club needs to keep believing in the approach.
“I would do things differently, I would have had a lot more experience in the team and stuck with managers. But it is three years into a five-year project. In two years if Chelsea are sitting on the top of English football and competing for the Champions League then it's a job well done.”
Despite that Cole reckons this summer’s transfer priority must be adding a proven goalscorer to lead the attack.
He thinks Chelsea are a better team when hit-and-miss centre-forward Nicolas Jackson, who missed the final two league games of the season because of suspension, is involved.
But a more prolific No9 is required for them to close the gap at the top. Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are being looked at.
For TNT Sports pundit Cole, however, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Aston Villa ’s Ollie Watkins would be the ideal fit despite being older than the profile of player Chelsea are keen on.
“They will stick with the model but they need to find more goals in the final third,” he added. “If Osimhen is available, go and get him. Ollie Watkins in that Chelsea team improves them straight away.
“I'm coming from a purely footballing perspective but these guys are trying to run a successful business where you need to have assets.”
Watch the UEFA Conference League Final exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+ the home of European football from 6.30pm, Wednesday 28 th May
hkck
0
Osihmen don't have the heart to play for Chelsea FC, all he wants is big money. We want players who are willing to play for Chelsea with all their hearts and playing for the bage not money alone. Nicholas Jackson doesn't even suit to be a Back up number 9 for Chelsea FC just let him go either on loan or permanently. Bring in Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon then Bring back Petrovic. Chelsea FC Owners and the Board must be serious,we don't want experiments 🧪🥼🧫 again Chelsea FC is not a Laboratory 🧫🥼🧪 Wesley Fofana, Joe Felix, Badiashile, Chiwell, Nkuku, Jackson, Steering,Disasi and other fringe players who don't add any value to the club must use the door 🚪
tell him to go to hell 🤬 we want players who are willing to play for the barge money last
vosabloptu
0
i prefer Osimeh please 🙏🙏 go get him
Naokmptuz
0
Osimhen is my boy but we have to stop the obsession with him coz there is no guarantee that He performs immediately he comes in. Torres and Lukaku are a million example
forget obsession. Osimhen is a guarantee of at least 20 goals
Renbeituz
0
I prefer Isak. But will he come to us?
Bodmaxchelzyk
0
osimhen
Bodmaxchelzyk
0
v osimhen is the best way forward ⏩
Dicblmpz
0
Osimhen is my boy but we have to stop the obsession with him coz there is no guarantee that He performs immediately he comes in. Torres and Lukaku are a million example
Fapadeknz
0
No to Osimhen
M-CHIKA360
2
Baba Cole leave this Chelsea owners, they are not what one would expect, it is annoyingly painful when you are seeing and knowing the right things to do to get good and solid result and you keep shifting the goal post just to justify your idea even when your idea is going wrongly. Barcelona with its youthful team have a blend of experience, Liverpool have young players with good blend of experience. but my team Chelsea...... the matter just tire me oh to the point I don't like reading or seeing any transfer gist about Chelsea again.
bacbclruyz
0
Osihmen don't have the heart to play for Chelsea FC, all he wants is big money. We want players who are willing to play for Chelsea with all their hearts and playing for the bage not money alone. Nicholas Jackson doesn't even suit to be a Back up number 9 for Chelsea FC just let him go either on loan or permanently. Bring in Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon then Bring back Petrovic. Chelsea FC Owners and the Board must be serious,we don't want experiments 🧪🥼🧫 again Chelsea FC is not a Laboratory 🧫🥼🧪 Wesley Fofana, Joe Felix, Badiashile, Chiwell, Nkuku, Jackson, Steering,Disasi and other fringe players who don't add any value to the club must use the door 🚪
so he should play for peanut or free bcos his african , why don't u say that to Messi Ronaldo mbape etc , tell me hw nant NO 9 out there is better than osimhen, am sure if his European or south American u all will nt say these , uf Chelsea can't pay him his worth he should go to where his appreciated, his conquered league 1, Italy, Turkey, wt else do u expected of him
obi1010
1
Osimhen has always supported Chelsea as a kid, Drogba is his idol, then which heart are you demanding again, he is the best available striker in the market now, he's fast, can dribble, his take off is incredible, he's strong and a warrior, he doesn't like losing, OSIMHEN ALL THE WAY
he should reduce his wages if he's willing to play for Chelsea
starzFC
1
Delap and oshimen then sell Nkunku and we are set
I think sell Nicolas jackson too
Vombciln
0
Chelsea should sell first. anyone who just recommends buy for Chelsea is retarded
bru we don't wanna waste time, osimhen or goykeres and then we speak of selling what what
Vombciln
0
Arsenal needs Osimhen
please wait with this arsenal sh*t. We will give arsenal our Chelsea flops
Vombciln
1
I agree with you Cole
dacblnorsu
4
Osimhen has always supported Chelsea as a kid, Drogba is his idol, then which heart are you demanding again, he is the best available striker in the market now, he's fast, can dribble, his take off is incredible, he's strong and a warrior, he doesn't like losing, OSIMHEN ALL THE WAY
Odogwo
3
Osimehn or nothing
Zimaikmnop
5
Chelsea should do what they can to get Osihmen or Isak for us
wenbimnpt
1
Delap and oshimen then sell Nkunku and we are set
reealprsz
1
Zuhdkoprtz
0
0000)
Hikcdeiot
1
only osimhen 💯
yaybekpuyz
2
Chelsea need to sign a title winning goalkeeper, Central defender, and striker. Finished and ready for next season. If not, then Chelsea will be the same next season.
cuucemortz
2
osimhen is the right man here
LeonardoDaVinci22
0
Arsenal needs Osimhen
Dokcdnopt
4
Chelsea should sell first. anyone who just recommends buy for Chelsea is retarded
Taebeklmno
0
sesko is the solution
luwcemnpt
1
I will go for Benjamin Sesko than this guyz.
pisdeikpz
3
please sign victor osimhen
pisdeikpz
1
thanks Joe cole
Pawioprty
3
osimhen for us
hkck
6
Osihmen don't have the heart to play for Chelsea FC, all he wants is big money. We want players who are willing to play for Chelsea with all their hearts and playing for the bage not money alone. Nicholas Jackson doesn't even suit to be a Back up number 9 for Chelsea FC just let him go either on loan or permanently. Bring in Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon then Bring back Petrovic. Chelsea FC Owners and the Board must be serious,we don't want experiments 🧪🥼🧫 again Chelsea FC is not a Laboratory 🧫🥼🧪 Wesley Fofana, Joe Felix, Badiashile, Chiwell, Nkuku, Jackson, Steering,Disasi and other fringe players who don't add any value to the club must use the door 🚪
jasdeikly
3
imagine this guy being a coach terrible pundit
jasdeikly
0
that's why non of English players be a good coach Watkins better Jackson 10x
danbclptz
0
Gyokeres
seeadmpsz
1
Watkins can do nothing for any team hes another Marcus Rashford
Docbciprsu
6
the only player now Chelsea need is V Osimhen
Fibdiklmsu
0
I love you Joe Cole
Sotbcdlmnz
1
osimhen all the way
puwacdempr
1
Osimhen all the way
Jotaimnoz
2
Victor Osimhe is the player we need.
Wupaclnotz
2
Get osimhen for us please 🙏