Joe Cole has weighed in on Chelsea’s current squad, highlighting a glaring issue—lack of leadership. The former Blues midfielder believes Enzo Maresca’s young team could benefit from an experienced figure like Jordan Henderson to guide them through the highs and lows of the Premier League.
Chelsea had shown promising signs earlier in the season, briefly looking like potential title contenders. However, a rough spell of five games without a win saw them drop out of the race. Their 2-1 victory over West Ham on Monday helped them climb to fourth in the table, but concerns remain about their ability to keep up with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Cole, who won three league titles with Chelsea, believes Maresca has done well in stabilizing the squad but needs seasoned professionals to support the younger players. Speaking on Premier League Productions, he reflected on Chelsea’s chaotic start to the campaign.
“At the beginning of the season, it was a mess—30 players, a lot of uncertainty, and too many names coming in,” Cole said. “But Enzo impressed me. He was calm, confident, and knew exactly who he wanted in his squad. He’s managed the group brilliantly.”
Despite Chelsea’s recent struggles, Cole sees clear progress under Maresca. He praised the Italian’s ability to streamline the squad and maintain a competitive edge. However, he stressed the importance of experience in balancing youthful talent.
“I thought Chelsea were in the title race a few weeks ago, but you can’t afford to have a spell without wins in this league,” he added. “They’ve improved massively, and the top four should be the target, especially given the money spent.”
Cole believes Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, which prioritizes young talent, has its advantages but overlooks the value of veteran leadership. He argued that figures like Thiago Silva or Jordan Henderson could be crucial in guiding the squad.
“If you asked Enzo off the record, I think he’d say he wants a couple of experienced leaders—players who have been there, done it, and can show the way,” Cole said. “As a young player, you learn just as much from those figures as you do from the coaching staff.”
With Chelsea aiming for a Champions League spot, the question remains—will they address this leadership gap before the next transfer window?