Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has called on the club to aim higher next season, saying the trophies won last term do not carry the same weight as England’s major competitions.
Chelsea lifted the Europa Conference League and the Fifa Club World Cup last season. While these wins brought joy to the fans, Cole believes they are not comparable to winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, or even the Carabao Cup.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole said, “This is season four under this ownership. There are two trophies, albeit new trophies, that don’t carry the same weight as a Premier League, an FA Cup, a Champions League, or even a League Cup.”
He stressed that Chelsea should now aim for the bigger prizes. “Next season, they have to be winning the big trophies, because that would be five seasons into this project,” Cole added.
Cole also gave his view on what fans should realistically expect from Chelsea in the upcoming season. He said the team should comfortably finish among the top sides and secure a place in the Champions League again. However, he doubted that the current squad could challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title.
“I don’t think the squad’s strong enough to compete with Arsenal. They won’t win the league,” he noted.
Chelsea will be hoping to start their new season on a strong note when they travel to north London on Saturday to face third-placed Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This match is seen as an early test of manager Enzo Maresca’s side and their ambitions for the season.
Cole’s comments come at a crucial time as Chelsea look to rebuild their squad and strengthen key positions. The club has faced mixed results in recent seasons despite heavy investment, making the pressure to win major trophies even higher.
