Key Highlights
- Joe Cole believes Chelsea’s main goal this season should remain securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.
- The Blues’ home defeat to Sunderland exposed why they are not yet genuine Premier League title contenders.
- Chelsea currently sit eighth in the Premier League with Maresca’s squad being one of the youngest in the division.
- Nuno Espirito Santo faces a tough time at West Ham United, struggling with their league form and recent losses.
Chelsea Struggles Highlight Season Goals
Joe Cole, a former Chelsea player turned analyst, has emphasized that the London-based club should focus on securing Champions League qualification rather than challenging for the Premier League title this season. Cole’s perspective comes after a weekend defeat to Sunderland, which he believes illustrated the young squad’s limitations.
Home Loss Unveils Young Squad Challenges
In an interview with TNT Sports following the Blues’ 2-1 home loss to Regis Le Bris’s Sunderland side, Cole highlighted that Chelsea’s four-game winning streak was abruptly ended. The match saw Alejandro Garnacho open the scoring for Chelsea only for Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi to secure the victory in stoppage time. This defeat meant Chelsea missed a chance to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Joe Cole, speaking about his former team, stated, “It’s strange… But they are where I expected them to be, competing to get back into the Champions League.” The manager Enzo Maresca has chosen an exceptionally young starting XI this season, with the average age of his squad being just 24 years and 112 days – the youngest in the Premier League.
Investment in Youth Comes with Pressure
The club’s decision to invest heavily in young talent, exemplified by the signing of Brazilian midfielder Estevao for a reported £29 million, comes with significant expectations. However, Cole advises patience, stating, “He’s a super-talented kid… He needs to stay patient as he doesn’t have to play every minute of every game.” Estevao’s introduction in the Sunderland match nearly led to an immediate impact but ultimately resulted in Chelsea conceding late.
Regarding Estevao and Cole Palmer, both signed from Palmeiras, Cole expressed optimism: “Yes, I think he could reach that level.
He’s younger than when Eden Hazard joined… In years three, four, and five, I expect him to be one of the best players in the world.” Cole emphasized Maresca’s role in nurturing young talent, noting, “Enzo Maresca is the right manager for him.”
West Ham United Faces Relegation Threat
Nuno Espirito Santo faces a daunting challenge at West Ham United after their latest winless start to the season. The Hammers are currently at risk of relegation, sitting in the bottom three with just four points from nine games.
Sales Impact Team Dynamics
One key factor contributing to West Ham’s struggles is the sale of midfielder Mohammed Kudus last summer to Tottenham Hotspur. Cole commented, “The success or failure ultimately falls at the feet of the owner of the club… It makes selling Mohammed Kudus look like a bad move.” The team needs a significant January transfer window to strengthen their squad and avoid the drop.
West Ham fans face a difficult season as Nuno Espirito Santo tries to improve their form before Christmas. Cole’s analysis underscores the critical nature of West Ham’s recruitment strategy, which has been criticized for mismanagement over an extended period.
