EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea legend Joe Cole responds to bold Jason Cundy prediction and speculates over possible Champions League triumph – ‘Sometimes it’s written in the stars’
Joe Cole refuses to rule out an unlikely Champions League triumph for Chelsea - but insists the club must focus on rebuilding.
The Blues return to European action on Wednesday night when they travel to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie - live on talkSPORT.
6
Graham Potter's men are enduring a terrible domestic campaign and need a miracle just to finish inside the top-four.
However, speaking recently, ex-Chelsea man Jason Cundy used the club's two previous Champions League wins to argue the case for another improbable success.
Cundy told talkSPORT: "The two times that Chelsea won the Champions League, we have been in turmoil, sacked our manager halfway through both seasons.
"It's happening again. Chelsea will win the Champions League.
"Would you be shocked if we did? We have no idea what's going on at Chelsea, but I would not change it!"
marvelbet369.com put those comments to Blues legend Cole and the former winger admitted it could be 'one of those years' at Stamford Bridge.
6
Most read in Champions League
“I see why Jason’s gone there," Cole told marvelbet369.com. "Last two times Chelsea have won it, they’ve had poor league campaigns by their standards.
“We can all hope that can happen this year, but it’s slightly different because there’s such an overhaul around the club.
“Backroom staff, ownership, management, players, ethos… everything has changed.
“The goal for Potter and this Chelsea team is just to get some synergy and cohesion.
6
“By the end of the season, we’ll start seeing some good football, Chelsea winning games, and the Champions League is almost a bonus.
“There needs to be a settling in period at Chelsea and once they get that, I think things will move forward.”
Cole added: “Sometimes it’s written in the stars. You’ve just got to hope this might be one of those years where they have a terrible league campaign and lift the Champions League."
Chelsea have spent more than £650million on players since new co-owner Todd Boehly took the reins in May.
6
Cole believes the Blues must be patient and urges the club not to expect immediate success.
He added: “In terms of lifting trophies over the last 20 years, Chelsea have been the most successful and I think it will continue.
“But right now, there will be turbulence, and you can’t rush it.
"Just wait. Players and managers have to settle, there’s no need to panic, there’s enough quality in that group.”
6
Meanwhile, Cole sent a message to Chelsea's plethora of wingers and suggested competition is not necessarily a bad thing.
After the arrivals of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, Potter now has an overload of forwards, with Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz all fighting for their places.
“Embrace the competition," Cole continued. "Raheem is a top, top player and has been for many years.
“He’s experienced, he’s important for the group. The young players coming in will be excited to play for Chelsea and step up at that age.
6
“You’ve got to know what you’re getting into. Not only at Chelsea, but at every big club, there is competition.
“Teams are scouring the world for a player that might be one per cent better than you. There’s many games and they’ve all got a role to play.
“With five substitutions, there is more opportunities to mix and match. The game is more tactical.
“The players are fully aware of it and my advice would be to embrace it and enjoy the challenge.
Read More on talkSPORT
"That is why you get up every morning and go to training.”
Watch Dortmund v Chelsea on Wednesday 15th February live on BT Sport 1 from 7pm. For more info, visit
Topics