Joe Cole says ‘powerful’ player Chelsea once sold for £5m would get into their team now

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Joe Cole has explained he’s a huge admirer of a former Chelsea youngster and insists he would get into the current Blues team.

The Chelsea academy has produced some outstanding individuals over the years, especially in the past couple of decades.

In the current Blues squad, Reece James and Levi Colwill are two academy graduates now shining in the first team.

Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George jumped up to the senior group during the 2024/25 season, too. However, Chelsea are considering loaning out George in the summer transfer window to give him regular first-team action.

Unfortunately, there are a number of talented youngsters that have had to leave Chelsea to go and achieve success elsewhere.

• READ MORE: Charly Musonda’s interview six years ago makes retirement even more heartbreaking, he adored Chelsea

Joe Cole claims Tino Livramento would get in Chelsea’s team

Tino Livramento, 22, is definitely one individual that Chelsea should regret letting go. He was sold to Southampton for £5m (The Guardian) in 2021. Since joining Newcastle United two years ago, he’s kicked on and developed into one of the Premier League’s most talented full-backs.

According to Joe Cole, Livramento showed incredible potential as a youngster coming through with Chelsea.

The versatile defender, who can play right-back or left-back with equal quality, has just helped England win the European Under-21 Championship. Following some standout performances in the tournament, Cole argued that Livramento would get in Chelsea’s current side.

Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast: “I watched him throughout the tournament, and I coached him a few times at Chelsea, he was coming through when I was there. Lovely lad, great ability. I remember doing a session with him on crossing. I was just trying to break down the three different crosses you would do. He had everything – big, powerful, great skill, great attitude…

“With Chelsea, when we talk about the new model, we praise them. You’ve still lost Tino Livramento… Tino Livramento would get in Chelsea’s team now, I think. He was absolutely brilliant. If it weren’t for Harvey Elliott getting player of the tournament, he could have been in the running.”

Livramento has taken his game to new heights in the last couple of years, emerging as a key player at St James’ Park for Newcastle. In particular, he starred as the Magpies won the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League qualification during the 2024/25 campaign.

Back in 2021, Livramento won Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year award. Instead of getting a chance in the Blues first team, he was sold to Southampton.

Ashley Cole thought Livramento’s potential was obvious at Chelsea as a young talent, but he is one that slipped through the net.

Would Tino Livramento start for Chelsea?

Of course, Livramento would be good enough for Chelsea’s current squad. We’re not sure he would be a guaranteed starter, though.

When fit, Blues captain Reece James is in the conversation for the world’s best right-back. In a similar way, Marc Cucurella has been one of the best left-backs around for the past year.

Even though Livramento admitted he will always love Chelsea, you could argue he’s taken all the correct steps for his career path.

Livramento is at his very best when he’s going up and down the pitch from right-back, so it’s hard to imagine him and James functioning in the same squad.