{"id":623687,"date":"2025-12-10T06:51:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T06:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/623687\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T06:51:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T06:51:23","slug":"joe-cole-sends-transfer-message-to-chelsea-board-after-atalanta-defeat-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/623687\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Cole sends transfer message to Chelsea board after Atalanta defeat | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\tJoe Cole speaking after Chelsea\u2019s defeat to Atalanta (Picture: TNT Sports)<\/p>\n

Joe Cole sent a clear transfer message to the Chelsea<\/a> board after the club\u2019s \u2018really disappointing\u2019 run of form continued with a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just a few weeks ago Enzo Maresca<\/a>\u2019s side were tipped as dark horses in the Premier League<\/a> and Champions League after an impressive 3-0 win over La Liga champions Barcelona<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But Chelsea have failed to win four games in a row since thumping Barca, slipping to fifth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Joao Pedro<\/a> gave Chelsea the lead at Atalanta on Tuesday night but the hosts scored two second-half goals to clinch a 2-1 win<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The defeat leaves Chelsea 11th in the Champions League and they will almost certainly slip even further down the table after Wednesday\u2019s European fixtures.<\/p>\n

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Cole described Chelsea\u2019s performance in Italy as \u2018really disappointing\u2019 and said it was further proof that his former club need to bolster Maresca\u2019s squad with some experienced players.<\/p>\n

Chelsea have spent a fortune since Todd Boehly<\/a> took over the club in 2022but new signings have been mainly young, promising players rather than ready-made talent.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FBL-EUR-C1-ATALANTA-CHELSEA\"
\n\t\tAtalanta came from behind to beat Chelsea (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s\u00a0really disappointing,\u2019 Cole told TNT Sports<\/a> after Chelsea\u2019s 2-1 defeat at Atalanta. \u2018Chelsea matched them comfortably in the first half and took the lead.<\/p>\n

\u2018But they looked shaky after that and the\u00a0frailties\u00a0are clearly there. It\u2019s frustrating.<\/p>\n

\u2018The\u00a0performances\u00a0against Barcelona and Chelsea were statements but\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0followed that up with three below-par performances where the standards\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0been there.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Atalanta
\n\t\tEnzo Maresca after Chelsea\u2019s defeat in Italy (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018I just keep coming back to it, I feel like there needs to be a bit more experience in the squad to help the team get through these tricky games.<\/p>\n

\u2018The coaches would have told them what to expect tonight and at Elland Road but\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0something about having an experienced player in your team to get you through.<\/p>\n

\u2018Chelsea\u00a0are\u00a0just not quite there yet.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0promise and some great performances but then there\u2019s performances like tonight which drop off.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Atalanta
\n\t\tJoao Pedro put Chelsea ahead (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018It makes this weekend very, very important\u00a0because\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0four games without a win now. The Everton game is must-win.\u2019<\/p>\n

Another former Chelsea star, Steve Sidwell, added: \u2018The first half was even but they Chelsea looked disjointed in the second half and\u00a0maybe that\u2019s\u00a0because of\u00a0the\u00a0changes made.<\/p>\n

\u2018They looked a few\u00a0yards\u00a0off it and if you give time and space to players of this quality then\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0going to get punished.\u2019<\/p>\n

Chelsea\u2019s hopes of automatic qualification in the Champions League are in the balance after a disappointing result in Italy.<\/p>\n

Maresca\u2019s side play host to Pafos in their next European game on January 21 before visiting Serie A champions Napoli the following week.<\/p>\n

Rating Chelsea\u2019s chances ahead of their final two games, Cole added: \u2018You would expect them to beat Pafos at home and then it sets up an amazing tie at Antonio Conte\u2019s Napoli.<\/p>\n

\u2018There will be jeopardy in that game. You\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to finish in the\u00a0top-eight\u00a0but you want to avoid those extra games because the Premier League is unforgiving.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
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