Joe Cole urges Chelsea to hold onto Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian this summer

Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian are to be free agents this summer as things stand
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Matt Davies18 April 2020

Joe Cole believes Chelsea should hold onto Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian, stating the experienced trio would be difficult to replace.

The attackers' contracts are all due to expire in the summer, but despite each of them aged over 30 and reaching the latter stages of their careers, Cole insists they remain important members of the squad.

Willian is both the most decorated and longest-serving of the three, making 329 appearances since his 2013 switch, winning five major titles.

Cole - who made 281 appearances for Chelsea - believes the Brazilian would be the biggest loss, but thinks all three provide a wealth of experience to an otherwise fairly young team.

Speaking to The Sun, Cole said: “Rightly so, we’ve credited the young players at Chelsea because they’ve come through, burst onto the scene and been amazing.

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“But Giroud, Willian and Pedro are three top-class players who have been really massive for the club, particularly Willian, who’s a club legend, the players and the fans love him.

“I hope they can hang onto that experience – if they want to be part of this new, exciting team that they’re building."

Cole believes the way Manchester United utilised their experienced players right until the end of their careers should act as a blueprint for Chelsea.

He added: “They can use that experience in the same way that Manchester United hung onto Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville.

“If they can accept that role where they’re coming in – that they might not play as much as they used to but they’re helping blood an era which could be as good as any era in the club’s history – then there’s a role to play for all of them.

“I think they’re all world-class players and it would be tough for any club to replace those three.”

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