Joe Cole has suggested a former Arsenal and Manchester United striker could have been the answer to Chelsea’s striker problems.
Despite spending more than £1bn on new signings in recent years, Chelsea still look short up front, with Nicolas Jackson enduring a frustrating season, both with form and fitness.
Chelsea have boasted some prolific and formidable strikers over the years, from Didier Drogba to Diego Costa, but are currently lacking players of that stature.
Cole believes the acquisition of an experienced striker would have benefited Chelsea, not just for the goals and assists but also the impact on a largely unexperienced and young squad.
And the former Stamford Bridge star named Danny Welbeck as a player who would have ‘worked’ at Chelsea as he continues to impress well into his 30s.
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Discussing Chelsea’s transfer strategy, Cole told TNT Sports: ‘I’ve had discussions with people at the club and they want to get young players in, they want to buy potential and develop them.
‘You can get your head around the financial model. But they also need some experience in there, two or three players, to help the younger guys and to show them the ropes.
‘That’s the only way those younger players will reach their potential.’
Asked if he had anyone in mind, Cole added: ‘Someone like Danny Welbeck.
‘It would’ve been insane to sign him at 33 or 34, but he’s scored more goals than any Chelsea centre-forward. On the pitch, technically, it would’ve worked.
‘Him as a player who has done it all, a good lad who can set the culture, that’s someone who springs off the top of my mind.’
Welbeck spent over a decade at Manchester United, first as an academy player and then a first-team regular who made 142 appearances.
He was sold to Premier League rivals Arsenal on 2019 but struggled with form and fitness at the Emirates Stadium, only once reaching double digits across a season.
The best and most consistent period of Welbeck’s career has come at Brighton, where he has made at least 30 appearances for the past three seasons.
Last month, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney said Welbeck was the type of player who should ‘still’ be at Old Trafford.
‘Danny’s great to play alongside,’ Rooney told BBC One, speaking after United’s FA Cup defeat to Fulham.
‘If I’m completely honest I’d probably like to still see him here, playing for Manchester United. He’s scored goals throughout his career.
‘He had injuries in the early part of his career but he seems to have got over them and he’s having a fantastic season.’
Welbeck’s impressive form on the south coast has also led to calls for an England recall under new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
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