Joe Cole Regrets Chelsea Missing Chance to Sign Van Dijk on a Free Transfer
Former England midfielder Joe Cole has admitted it was a missed opportunity for Chelsea not to pursue a move for Virgil van Dijk when the Dutch centre-back was approaching ufaball88 the end of his contract with Liverpool last summer.
Van Dijk, now 34, has been a key figure for the Reds since joining in 2018, playing a major role in their Premier League and UEFA Champions League triumphs. Although there were no strong indications that the defender wanted to leave Anfield, Cole believes Chelsea should have made a serious attempt to sign a player of his calibre.
“I would have gone all out to sign Van Dijk when he was nearing the end of his contract last summer,” Cole told Paddy Power. “You want players who have experience and know how to win trophies.”
Cole also shared his views on the wider European landscape, suggesting that Paris Saint-Germain currently have too many players, while Arsenal may struggle to keep all of their key stars next season, with some departures potentially unavoidable.
“It’s a shame, but right now there aren’t many top-level players looking to join Chelsea,” Cole added. “If a top player becomes available, clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool will usually get there first.”
