Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole says the new-look Blues have already shown they are capable of winning the Premier League title this season.
Chelsea made numerous high-profile signings in the summer but Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz and, most recently Edouard Mendy, have all impressed.
And after seeing the Blues cruise to a 2-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park Cole said a title challenge was well within their grasp.
Cole, now part of the coaching set-up at Chelsea and a respected pundit, said on BT Sport: “Frank won’t thank me for it. But I’m the one getting excited. I think we can do it.”
He said it was “very, very easy” against the Magpies and the side is looking more cohesive with each game.
“Newcastle didn’t turn up and Chelsea were excellent,” Cole added. “The way they transitioned from defence to attack and kept the pressure on Newcastle, it was a walk in the park.
“With the recruitment in the summer you plug gaps. You brought Mendy in because the goalkeeper Kepa wasn’t working. Straight away that improved the team.
“Left-back was a problem position last season, but Ben Chilwell’s come in. He looks like he’s been there years.
“Thiago Silva, that was the one I was, not worried about but, I was like “where’s this going to go?” because he’s 36. I knew he was a great player. He’s and been outstanding.
“That’s three things – that’s 30 per cent of the team that’s improved. That’s lifted the whole team. The whole project is going in the right direction.
“You add Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz and it’s an embarrassment of riches. It’s been built the right way, the structure is in place, the style of play, the methodology that Frank wants to play.
“The biggest compliment you can pay Frank is you can see his personality on the team, that work ethic, that togetherness that relentlessness. It’s a very, very exciting times for Chelsea fans.”
