Former England international Joe Cole believes Chelsea have the quality and squad depth to mount a serious Premier League title challenge this season, pointing to their current fourth-place position as evidence of real progress under Enzo Maresca.
Softfootball gathered that Cole shared his assessment in an interview with Mail Sport, suggesting the club’s position at the winter break could prove decisive in shaping their ambitions for the second half of the season.
Cole laid out his reasoning clearly:
I think if they can be at the turn of the year after the Christmas period, if they’re within six points I think they can mount a title challenge.
Because knowing the owners, I think they’ll go in and have a go again in the January transfer window.
He also credited Chelsea’s participation in the Europa Conference League as an unexpected advantage, explaining:
The best thing in Chelsea’s favour is playing in the Europa Conference League. There’s an opportunity to get back to the top,
Cole said, pointing to players like Mykhailo Mudryk and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall benefiting from valuable game time.
