Joe Cole only found room for one Chelsea star in his Premier League five-a-side team made up of current players.
You could argue Chelsea currently look as strong as they have done under the current Blues ownership.
There has been a lot of optimism from Blues supporters going into the new season. Therefore, it was disappointing to slip up and draw at home to Crystal Palace last weekend in their opening fixture.
Chelsea’s target is another top-four finish to repeat what they did last season. With the talent in the current squad, that should definitely be achievable.
The Premier League logo on the 2023/24 football.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Joe Cole selects current Premier League five-a-side team
Joe Cole, the former Blues winger and boyhood Chelsea fan, was asked on HaytersTV to pick his current Premier League five-a-side team.
Interestingly, Cole Palmer, 23, was the only Chelsea player he selected. He was joined by stars from Liverpool (two), Manchester City and Fulham.
Player Club
Bernd Leno Fulham
Virgil van Dijk Liverpool
Cole Palmer Chelsea
Mohamed Salah Liverpool
Erling Haaland Manchester City
Joe Cole’s current Premier League five-a-side team
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We suspect most people would have Palmer in their fantasy five-a-side team, especially as he’s a street footballer at heart with so much skill and individual ability. Incidentally, we’d put forward Chelsea teammates such as Reece James or Estevao Willian as perfect profiles for five-a-side football.
Cole Palmer celebrates during Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Glenn Hoddle was disappointed by Palmer because of a pretty quiet display on the opening day of the new league season, but we’re still confident he’ll shine during his third year at Stamford Bridge.
The attacking midfielder is the talisman in the Chelsea side that everyone looks towards. Hopefully, he can deliver the goods on Friday night for the trip to West Ham.
Joe Cole during friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Joe Cole’s prediction on Chelsea for the 2025/26 season
During the interview above with HaytersTV, Cole added that he pictures Chelsea finishing behind Liverpool this season in the Premier League. He’s confident that Enzo Maresca’s young side will take further strides forward, but they won’t be able to chase down the reigning league champions.
Cole said: “I make them (Liverpool) favourite… I put Liverpool as number one. Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea as the next band…
“I think Chelsea will improve. They’ve won two trophies and finished in the Champions League. I think the young players will all improve. They will all get better and be better as a unit. The asterisk is Levi Colwill’s injury leaves a big hole. Really excited about how we finished last season and played at the Club World Cup. I think Chelsea will push Liverpool gently.”
Prior to the new season, Opta’s Supercomputer tipped Chelsea to finish fourth in the Premier League.
We’ll have to wait and see how the 2025/26 campaign takes shape in the opening few months. The Blues were hanging around the top of the division in the opening third of last season before falling off.