Cole: Chelsea Should Have Made Bold Move for Van Dijk and PSG Talent

Joe Cole has criticized Chelsea for failing to make an audacious play for Virgil van Dijk during the defender's contract uncertainty at Liverpool, suggesting the west Londoners should have cast their net wider to land proven winners.

The former Chelsea winger pointed to last season's situation at Anfield, where Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk both entered the final stages of their deals alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold—who ultimately decamped to Real Madrid. While the Reds managed to keep hold of their star pair, Cole feels the Blues should have mounted a serious assault for the Dutch centre-back.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole outlined his vision for Chelsea's transfer strategy: "I would have gone down the road of going really big for Virgil van Dijk when he was coming to the end of his contract at Liverpool last summer. You need seasoned winners in the side. I'd be looking at the PSG squad, which I think is bloated. Players who understand winning and know how and what it means to win."

The pundit acknowledged the structural challenges facing Chelsea in the current market. He suggested that Arsenal will struggle to retain all their talent beyond this season, with certain players potentially becoming available. Yet Cole emphasized the harsh reality: elite performers gravitate towards the established powers.

"Unfortunately, none of the top, top players are going to be coming to Chelsea, because if they're available, then the Man Citys, the Arsenals and the Liverpools will come calling and they will go there first," Cole explained. "So Chelsea are still in their rebuilding phase."

Chelsea did explore the possibility of landing Van Dijk last summer, according to reports at the time, but negotiations between the defender and Liverpool quickly steered him towards a new contract at the club. While he appears set to remain on Merseyside until 2027, questions linger over what happens beyond that point, when he'll be approaching 36.

Should the Dutch international maintain his elite form, Chelsea might circle back in the future—they've already proven willing to back ageing defenders of the highest calibre with Thiago Silva's stint at Stamford Bridge. But plenty of football remains to be played before that scenario becomes relevant.