“I don’t think he can play that role” – Joe Cole warns Tuchel against using Chelsea player wrongly
Following Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, Chelsea legend Joe Cole was not happy with midfielder Saul Niguez’s first-half performance.
However, The Spanish International was deployed as a left wing-back in their Premier League match, and the former footballer was not impressed.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel was forced to play Saul as a left wing-back today as Marcos Alonso was ruled out due to reportedly contracting Covid-19. Malang Sarr, who has played in that role in recent times, had a poor midweek outing against Luton Town in the FA Cup. He, thus, had to be benched.
Cole was speaking on BT Sport when he expressed concern over Saul. The Chelsea legend added that Burnley were doing well by doubling in on him and said:
“Sean Dyche will be the happier of the managers. His 4-4-2 has worked very well, Aaron Lennon has got into the game, he’s doubled up. I don’t think Saul can play left wing-back in the Premier League. I think Tuchel’s got a job to do now, has to change it around.”
Continuing to talk about the first half, Cole said:
“Chelsea need to start dominating possession, pinning them back, because if they do that then Lennon and [Dwight] McNeil will end up playing full-back. The midfield of [Mason] Mount, Jorginho, [Christian] Pulisic haven’t got into the game enough because we haven’t controlled the game. Burnley, credit to them because they’ve worked hard, they’ve had the better chances. Burnley should be winning the game.”
When asked if the off-pitch events were distracting the players, Cole added:
“Obviously Roman stepping away as he has, it’s uncertain times. We don’t know the future and that filters down. It’s obviously secondary to what is going on but for the future of the club it’s just uncertain, the takeover’s going to happen and players contracts, it’s all up in the air. They’re actually playing like a team and a club that’s uncertain today. There isn’t much cohesion, they haven’t started well.” He said.