Joe Cole tells Chelsea to sign ‘perfect’ Premier League star on a free transfer
Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave Manchester City on a free transfer next summer (Getty) Joe Cole believes Kevin De Bruyne would be the ‘perfect’ signing for Chelsea this summer when he leaves Manchester City on a free transfer. Earlier this month, De Bruyne announced that he will be leaving City at the end of the season, marking an end to a successful 10-year stint with the Premier League champions. The 33-year-old has started just 14 games in the Premier League this season, largely due to a hernia problem, but the midfielder looked back to his best last Saturday as he delivered an impressive performance in City’s 5-2 comeback victory against Crystal Palace. Speaking for the first time about his future after the game, De Bruyne suggested that he would be open to joining a rival Premier League side after leaving City at the end of the season. And Cole has urged his former club Chelsea to make a move for the Belgium international, who made just nine appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge before he was sold to Wolfsburg for £18 million in 2014. Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. ‘I think there’s a twist in the tale,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast. ‘We interviewed him after the game [against Crystal Palace], it’s a hard job, I don’t want to ask a stupid question but you bounce around and you know he can’t say what he really feels, but I asked something like, ‘how do you feel about moving’, and he said his kids are a bit scared. Joe Cole says Kevin De Bruyne would be the ‘perfect’ signing for Chelsea (Getty) ‘I got the impression he really doesn’t want to leave. I think if the contract offer was right, which he deserves, like Liverpool have done with Mo Salah. ‘How do you let that walk out the door? From what I saw on Saturday… on a free?! ‘If he’s that worried about moving, he’s settled in England, maybe there’s another Premier League club for him. ‘Listen, if Alex Ferguson was about he’d be on his door when he comes home from training. ‘Is there anyone cheeky enough to try it? Do you know who he’s perfect for, do you know what…Chelsea. I know he’s been there before. WHAT KEVIN DE BRUYNE HAS SAID ABOUT JOINING A PREMIER LEAGUE RIVAL ‘If teams come and they can convince me that something sporting is nice, a nice project, I’m able,’ De Bruyne said. ‘I know, obviously, I’m not the youngest any more but I still feel I’m able to perform at a very high level. ‘I don’t know what teams are interested or what they want to do, but whatever project is available I’m willing to listen. ‘I love football, I love to play football, if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that then we are able to make a decision.’ ‘If you let someone go, you’re saying, ‘you’re not for us for the next two years and what we want to do’. Well, you’re on a free, you can go anywhere you want. ‘And I’m saying, and this ain’t me trying to cause trouble, if I’m Chelsea and I’m sitting around with them [the board], I’m going, ‘we need experienced players’. ‘Kevin De Bruyne, he’s been injured a bit, but what he gives the changing room as a winner, as a leader, we might only need him for 30 games a season, we can manage him. ‘Imagine him walking through the door with those young players and those difficult moment. I would say, ‘whatever you want, we’ll write it off’. Come and play for us for two years. ‘There must be something in him as well that thinks, and he’s had a great career, because the Chelsea thing didn’t work for him. ‘It’s something that’s come to mind that he could go anywhere.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Joe Cole believes Kevin De Bruyne would be the ‘perfect’ signing for Chelsea this summer when he leaves Manchester City on a free transfer.
Earlier this month, De Bruyne announced that he will be leaving City at the end of the season, marking an end to a successful 10-year stint with the Premier League champions.
The 33-year-old has started just 14 games in the Premier League this season, largely due to a hernia problem, but the midfielder looked back to his best last Saturday as he delivered an impressive performance in City’s 5-2 comeback victory against Crystal Palace.
Speaking for the first time about his future after the game, De Bruyne suggested that he would be open to joining a rival Premier League side after leaving City at the end of the season.
And Cole has urged his former club Chelsea to make a move for the Belgium international, who made just nine appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge before he was sold to Wolfsburg for £18 million in 2014.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
‘I think there’s a twist in the tale,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast.
‘We interviewed him after the game [against Crystal Palace], it’s a hard job, I don’t want to ask a stupid question but you bounce around and you know he can’t say what he really feels, but I asked something like, ‘how do you feel about moving’, and he said his kids are a bit scared.
‘I got the impression he really doesn’t want to leave. I think if the contract offer was right, which he deserves, like Liverpool have done with Mo Salah.
‘How do you let that walk out the door? From what I saw on Saturday… on a free?!
‘If he’s that worried about moving, he’s settled in England, maybe there’s another Premier League club for him.
‘Listen, if Alex Ferguson was about he’d be on his door when he comes home from training.
‘Is there anyone cheeky enough to try it? Do you know who he’s perfect for, do you know what…Chelsea. I know he’s been there before.
WHAT KEVIN DE BRUYNE HAS SAID ABOUT JOINING A PREMIER LEAGUE RIVAL
‘If teams come and they can convince me that something sporting is nice, a nice project, I’m able,’ De Bruyne said.
‘I know, obviously, I’m not the youngest any more but I still feel I’m able to perform at a very high level.
‘I don’t know what teams are interested or what they want to do, but whatever project is available I’m willing to listen.
‘I love football, I love to play football, if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that then we are able to make a decision.’
‘If you let someone go, you’re saying, ‘you’re not for us for the next two years and what we want to do’. Well, you’re on a free, you can go anywhere you want.
‘And I’m saying, and this ain’t me trying to cause trouble, if I’m Chelsea and I’m sitting around with them [the board], I’m going, ‘we need experienced players’.
‘Kevin De Bruyne, he’s been injured a bit, but what he gives the changing room as a winner, as a leader, we might only need him for 30 games a season, we can manage him.
‘Imagine him walking through the door with those young players and those difficult moment. I would say, ‘whatever you want, we’ll write it off’. Come and play for us for two years.
‘There must be something in him as well that thinks, and he’s had a great career, because the Chelsea thing didn’t work for him.
‘It’s something that’s come to mind that he could go anywhere.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
