The feel-good factor is well and truly back at Chelsea with Liam Rosenior impressing in his role as boss but there are still doubts over the club’s transfer policy, highlighted by Joe Cole.
Rosenior has now won five of his six games in charge, picking up six points from six in the Premier League and now, six from six in the Champions League. Those six points have seen Chelsea finish in sixth place.
Instant qualification for the last 16, one of eight sides to do so. They will face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, AS Monaco or Qarabag. But crucially, Chelsea are back firing and players are in form.
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However, there are still problems and it was highlighted before the game, with Chelsea confirming the decision to release Raheem Sterling. The transfer policy is still crazy and Joe Cole has another example.
Joe Cole recalls coaching Jamal Musiala while at Chelsea
Before becoming a pundit for TNT Sports, Chelsea icon Cole worked as a coach at Chelsea and during that time, he worked and coached an up-and-coming Jamal Musiala. Of course, Musiala is now at Bayern.
Born in Germany, Musiala moved to England and spent most of his childhood on these shores. Indeed, he was with Chelsea’s academy from eight, all the way until 16. That’s when he played under pundit Cole.
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Musiala would leave Chelsea and return to Germany, joining Bayern Munich in 2019 at the age of just 16. Speaking to TNT Sports last night, Cole described Musiala’s goal against PSV as “outstanding”.
“What a talent, I coached him at Chelsea a few times. Yeah, we were actually working on that (joking). I remember joining in a session with him, and they said ‘this kid is a good player’. I was 38 at the time.
“He was 15. He was so talented but so strong. A skinny little thing but you thought to yourself, ‘He’s going be a top player’. But I didn’t realise how quickly he would become a top player. That’s an outstanding finish.”
Why Jamal Musiala left Chelsea to join Bayern Munich
There were a number of reasons and there have been numerous suggestions since the move, and since Musiala has become one of the world’s best attacking midfielders. But Football London have the answer.
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Liam Rosenior's record at Chelsea
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They say that contrary to some belief, Chelsea did offer Musiala a contract and were desperate to keep him in West London. However, Bayern tempted Musiala, with Brexit also playing a role in his decision.
His parents, of Polish and Nigerian-British heritage, were concerned about freedom of movement. The decision was out of Chelsea’s hands, but they will surely regret not doing more to tempt Musiala to stay.
After a long injury lay-off, Musiala scored his first goal since returning to Vincent Kompany’s team during a win against PSV in the Champions League last night. At 22, Musiala is a constant frustration for Chelsea.
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