Joe Cole has implored Chelsea to make a ‘logical’ signing before the transfer deadline to boost their Premier League title aspirations.
The Blues, who finished fourth last season, begin their 2025-26 campaign on Sunday against London rivals Crystal Palace.
A number of new faces will be involved in Chelsea’s Premier League opener with the club already spending around £250m on new recruits this summer.
Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap after just a few of the new signings to arrive through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Cole has been largely impressed by Chelsea’s transfer activity this summer and has especially high hopes for Pedro, backing the Brazilian to go to ‘another level’ following his £60m move from Brighton.
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But the Stamford Bridge hero believes Chelsea need to sign a new goalkeeper before the summer transfer window shuts if they have serious aspirations of challenging for the title.
Chelsea were in talks to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan earlier in the summer but now appear to be prepared to put their faith in error-prone Robert Sanchez.
Discussing the goalkeeping situation in west London, Cole told TNT Sports: ‘They kept chopping and changing last season.
‘Look at all the great teams who have won titles, they’ve all got a top, top goalkeeper. For me it’s just logical that we need to sort that out.’
Asked for his hopes for new Chelsea striker Pedro, Cole added: ‘He basically came off the beach and started banging the goals in at the Club World Cup.
‘He looks like he’s been a Chelsea player for years. I know the people at Chelsea were really, really pleased with the summer transfer window.
‘Joao Pedro can play in any of the front-three positions and they probably don’t actually know how good a player they’ve got right now.
‘I think there’s another level for him to go up.’
While Cole wants a new goalkeeper to arrive at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s current transfer priorities are Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.
The Blues are still in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Netherlands international Simons, while they are lining up a bid for Manchester United winger Garnacho.
Chelsea are also keen to offload several players before the transfer deadline, including Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell.
They are open to offers for Nicolas Jackson following the signings of Pedro and Delap but have set an extremely high asking price for the Senegal striker.
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