Former Chelsea winger, Joe Cole, has backed his former club to make a strong push for the Champions League title this season. The ex-England international also described Cole Palmer as Chelsea’s most influential player, comparing his impact to club legend Gianfranco Zola.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole noted that despite Palmer’s injury, which could keep him sidelined until the end of November due to a groin issue, the team is well-balanced enough to cope without him. “If Cole Palmer had been injured 18 months ago, the whole of the Kings Road would have been in tears because he was that influential,” Cole said. “I’ve not seen a player that important to a Chelsea side since Zola.”
Cole praised how the squad has been structured around Palmer’s style of play, adding that the team’s current form and depth could see them perform strongly in Europe. “The team’s been built around him nicely, so I think Chelsea will be fine,” he added.
When asked about the club’s chances in domestic and continental competitions, Cole suggested that Chelsea might find it easier to win the Champions League than the Premier League this season due to the high level of competition in England. “It’s slightly easier to win the Champions League,” he said. “You can have a good run, get lucky in a few games, but to win the Premier League, you need consistency. There’s so much competition from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.”
Chelsea’s recent 2–0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League was a boost after their opening 3–0 loss to Bayern Munich. With confidence growing, Cole believes the Blues can be a real threat in Europe if they maintain focus and form.