Cole targets Chelsea duo after shock loss, another pundit claims 'Zagreb stepped on them'
Club legend Joe Cole has slammed two Chelsea players after Thomas Tuchel's side suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb.
Chelsea played their first game in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
The Blues have had a difficult start to the season and that continued in their midweek exit in Europe.
The latest title-winning signing from every Premier League club, including the forgotten name of Liverpool
Dinamo Zagreb defended like warriors and Mislav Orsic's goal earned them a famous 1-0 win.
Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang was denied a goal on his debut and Reece James hit the post before the end.
Chelsea deserved nothing to come away with anything and they will be looking to bounce back when they host Red Bull Salzburg in their second group game next week.
Cole picked Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech for the post-match reviews as he thinks Thomas Tuchel will have 'a lot of players knocking on his door':
"Well, where do I start?" Cole told BT Sport.
"They need to pull themselves together as soon as they can. There have been countless instances where [Kalidou] Koulibaly has been taken from the wrong side and for a 31-year-old defender, he really needs to get up to speed to playing regularly in the Champions League and the Premier League.
"I think at the other end of the pitch there is a lack of confidence that is starting to develop, we are talking about a lack of goals and assists.
"The only positive for Thomas Tuchel once the dust settles is that there will be a lot of players knocking on his door saying why I'm not playing and wanting to have a chance.
"These players came in tonight and gave it a chance and didn't take it, so at least you can tell them, I'm not playing you and showing them the clips.
"[Hakim] Ziyech has a lot of talent, but it's not working out for him at Chelsea, so it's a disappointing night for the club, a shock result."
Peter Crouch was also unimpressed with Chelsea's performance. He argued that there aren't many Blues players you can "hang your hat on" to play:
"On paper Chelsea are a much better team than Zagreb, but they had no mentality or character and Zagreb crushed them tonight in that department," Crouch added.
"When you lose away games it's a matter of mentality and character - there are too many players, I think, in this Chelsea team that you can't hang your hat on.< /p>
"They're all top players, but they're going to have moments throughout the season: are they going to get you points, are they going to dig in when it gets tough, are they going to give you results in Europe?
"I like them as players, but sometimes I feel like it's too easy, and that would frustrate me as a Chelsea fan."
Club legend Joe Cole has slammed two Chelsea players after Thomas Tuchel's side suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb.
Chelsea played their first game in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday night against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
The Blues have had a difficult start to the season and that continued in their midweek exit in Europe.
The latest title-winning signing from every Premier League club, including the forgotten name of Liverpool
Dinamo Zagreb defended like warriors and Mislav Orsic's goal earned them a famous 1-0 win.
Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang was denied a goal on his debut and Reece James hit the post before the end.
Chelsea deserved nothing to come away with anything and they will be looking to bounce back when they host Red Bull Salzburg in their second group game next week.
Cole picked Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech for the post-match reviews as he thinks Thomas Tuchel will have 'a lot of players knocking on his door':
"Well, where do I start?" Cole told BT Sport.
"They need to pull themselves together as soon as they can. There have been countless instances where [Kalidou] Koulibaly has been taken from the wrong side and for a 31-year-old defender, he really needs to get up to speed to playing regularly in the Champions League and the Premier League.
"I think at the other end of the pitch there is a lack of confidence that is starting to develop, we are talking about a lack of goals and assists.
"The only positive for Thomas Tuchel once the dust settles is that there will be a lot of players knocking on his door saying why I'm not playing and wanting to have a chance.
"These players came in tonight and gave it a chance and didn't take it, so at least you can tell them, I'm not playing you and showing them the clips.
"[Hakim] Ziyech has a lot of talent, but it's not working out for him at Chelsea, so it's a disappointing night for the club, a shock result."
Peter Crouch was also unimpressed with Chelsea's performance. He argued that there aren't many Blues players you can "hang your hat on" to play:
"On paper Chelsea are a much better team than Zagreb, but they had no mentality or character and Zagreb crushed them tonight in that department," Crouch added.
"When you lose away games it's a matter of mentality and character - there are too many players, I think, in this Chelsea team that you can't hang your hat on.< /p>
"They're all top players, but they're going to have moments throughout the season: are they going to get you points, are they going to dig in when it gets tough, are they going to give you results in Europe?
"I like them as players, but sometimes I feel like it's too easy, and that would frustrate me as a Chelsea fan."
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