Chelsea hero Joe Cole has revealed the owners work to strict transfers criteria.

Cole was speaking about Chelsea's lack of an experienced centre-forward.

He said, "From what I understand about the owners, they want to buy youth and under-24s, 25s, and they are very rigid.

"You couldn't have got Harry Kane who would have been the dream. Ronaldo went to Saudi Arabia and he's getting old. Osimhen wasn't available at the time, so you have to be a bit smarter with your recruitment.

"You think we're not going to go for that now, we'll maybe put a bid in for Ivan Toney because we know he is going to score goals, he may or may not become the next Didier Drogba or Diego Costa.

"All the great managers of the past would buy players when they become available and pick specifics, the team is crying out for experience, and just let Poch decide the players he wants to come in, I think that is crucial for the football club."