Joe Cole set for Stamford Bridge return

Chelsea old-boy Joe Cole is set to return to his former employers as he takes on a role within the youth coaching set-up at Stamford Bridge.

The 37-year-old announced his retirement from playing football last month and was keen to step into coaching after completing his UEFA A coaching licence.

Cole is expected to be given a trial period in the new year where he will be able to experiment among different ages with the Chelsea youth system before being handed a specific age group next season.

The Blues have a history of developing talented players under the club’s academy director Neil Bath, but they have also developed a number of their youth coaches into successful managers later in their careers.

Brendan Rodgers started his coaching career as a youth team coach at Chelsea; Frank Lampard’s assistant, Jody Morris, was a successful coach of the Club’s under-18s.

Upon announcing his retirement last month, Cole said:

“Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game.

“I feel I can offer a lot as a coach and have really enjoyed the opportunity to undertake some of these duties with the Rowdies.

“To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine.”

Chelsea’s issue in the past has been getting academy graduates into the first team; however that barrier seems to be slowly getting broken down as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi have begun to embed themselves into the matchday squad.