Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has heaped praise on Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side following their dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham, describing it as the clearest indication yet of the Blues' potential under the new manager. Speaking to TNT Sports, Cole highlighted the strength and positivity of the performance at the London Stadium, which he believes has been long overdue for the Chelsea faithful.
"Chelsea were dominant, strong, positive—all the things Chelsea fans have been longing to say about their team," Cole remarked, reflecting on the match. "West Ham couldn't lay a glove on them. It was a really strong showing all over the park. This could be the first time we have seen a real glimpse of what this new Chelsea is capable of."
Chelsea’s victory, spearheaded by a brilliant brace from Nicolas Jackson, has ignited optimism among supporters who have been waiting to see the team gel under Maresca’s leadership. Cole emphasised the complete team performance, noting that every player contributed to the win.
"That is what the Chelsea fans want to see. From start to finish, every player played their part. They look like a club moving in the right direction. I haven't seen Chelsea fans as happy as that for a long, long time," Cole said.
The former midfielder also drew comparisons to past successful sides, pointing to the sharp counter-attacking style Chelsea employed against West Ham, which reminded him of Liverpool’s fearsome trio of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, and Roberto Firmino.
"They look like they have a clear way of playing; they look like a happy team. The counter-attacking was exceptional. There were glimpses which reminded me of the Liverpool side with Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, and Firmino. Finally, things are starting to turn, and Chelsea fans can be quietly optimistic," he added.
Nicolas Jackson, who was instrumental in Chelsea’s win, also earned high praise from Cole. The young forward’s performance was a key component of Maresca’s tactical approach, with Cole highlighting Jackson’s potential for growth.
"I think Enzo Maresca saw they could break past West Ham, and Nicolas Jackson is fantastic at that. It's what he does," Cole observed. "[He has] good numbers. He is a young man, a young player, he's learning his trade. People talked about Didier Drogba's first two seasons when he wasn't as prolific as he later became. Nevertheless, he has scored the goals, and he will get better."
Cole believes that with continued development, Jackson could become a key figure for Chelsea, much like Didier Drogba did during his time at the club.
"He needs to just keep improving, be a bit more composed, and [gain] more confidence. He will bounce into the next game now. I am very, very pleased for him," Cole concluded.
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