JOE COLE claims Chelsea can “win everything” as boss Frank Lampard already has a “better team” than their 2012 Champions League winners.
The Blues will head the Premier League if they beat Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, as current top two Spurs and Liverpool are out of action until the next day.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea sit third in the Premier League and are tipped for greatness by ex-Stamford Bridge team-mate Joe ColeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Then-England star Frank Lampard helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2011-12, beating Bayern on penalties, plus the FA CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And Cole, Lampard’s former midfield team-mate for Chelsea as well as England, believes the new Blues are approaching greatness.
Lampard’s men cruised into the Champions League KO stage, fringe striker Olivier Giroud netting all four in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory at Sevilla.
And big-name recruits like Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell are blending well with next-generation stars such as Mason Mount, with Billy Gilmour and Callum-Hudson-Odoi pushing hard for regular places.
Cole told the Mirror: “Frank won’t thank me for saying this, but they can win everything,
“If you’re an Arsenal, you can’t win the league. Nor Leicester.
“Chelsea are in the mix of three or four teams who can win the Premier League and five or six who can win the Champions League.
“It’s a better team than when they won the Champions League in 2012. Frank’s putting together a better team and that’s a big credit to him.”
That Blues side of 2011-12 only came sixth in the Prem but revived once Roberto di Matteo succeeded Andre Villas-Boas to win the FA Cup and Europe’s top domestic competition.
Jose Mourinho lifted the title with Chelsea in 2005 and 2006, plus in 2015 during his second spell.
Carlo Ancelotti pulled off a Prem and FA Cup double in 2010, while Antonio Conte lifted the title in 2017.
Joe Cole was with Chelsea from 2003-10, so played alongside Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard for club and countryCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk