HOME > Football

Chelsea’s biggest regret? Joe Cole said Chelsea made a mistake and let the player go!

6:41am, 5 July 2025【Football】

Tino Liframo is now shining after winning the U-21 European Cup for England's U-21 national team. His outstanding performance throughout the tournament even made him the best UEFA team.

However, behind Newcastle's right-back's success lies a story that regrets the Chelsea club that once trained him. Tino Liframo is known to be a Chelsea Academic Graduate who was loaned to Southampton in 2021.

's decision to let Chelsea go one of their best geniuses is now questioned by their legend Joe Cole. He felt that Chelsea made a big mistake, and even Tinino Liframo should be in Chelsea's current starting lineup.

Now, this regret may become even worse, as another Chelsea legend, Ashley Cole, also gave the highest praise. The two agreed that Tino Liframo has a very bright future.

Joe Cole's regret for losing Liframo

Joe Cole has personal memories when he was at Chelsea and has briefly trained Tino Liframo. He admitted that he has seen the player’s extraordinary potential since he first met in a training session.

According to Cole, Tino Liframo is a young player with a full package. Not only does he possess outstanding abilities, he also has a strong physique, strength and a very professional attitude.

"I trained him a few times at Chelsea. He was making his mark when I was there," Joe Cole said in The Dressing Room Podcast.

"He had everything: strong, good skills, and good attitude. I remember the situation at the time, 'When you get to the last free throw line, you only have three options: far pass, cross or attract defense', and he did a great job on both wings, the same on the left and the right," he recalled.

Better than Chelsea's rookie?

In addition, Joe Cole even publicly questioned Chelsea's transfer policies in recent years. He expressed uncertainty about whether new players introduced at high prices are really better than the youth training graduates they let go.

He specifically mentioned Tino Liframo and Lewis Hall, two top talents who are now thriving in Newcastle. Cole even explicitly believes that Liframo will easily enter the Chelsea main lineup currently coached by Enzo Mareka.

"When we're talking about Chelsea's new models and complimenting them... you foolishly lose Tino Liframo and Lewis Hall, another top player," Cole said.

"I don't know how much they took away, but they did leave. Who will come?" he said firmly.

Supreme praise dedicated to the Stars Championship

Liframo's outstanding performance in the European U-21 Championship really surprised Joe Cole. According to him, the 22-year-old right-back has performed very well throughout the tournament.

He even believes that Lifraco should be a powerful Best Player Award winner. However, the award ended up in the hands of his teammate Harvey Elliott, who also performed well.

"Dia is really smart," Cole continued.

"If Harvey Elliott hadn't won the Best Player Award, he would have been likely competing for this award," he added.

The bright future is waiting

The praise for Tino Liframo is not only from Joe Cole. Chelsea and England national team legend Ashley Cole is also a member of the U-21 national team coaching staff, and he also expressed similar praise.

Ashley Cole revealed that he has seen Livramento's enthusiasm and the level of game he can achieve since he was still in Chelsea reserve. According to him, Newcastle's first team's regular game opportunities have boosted the player's confidence.

"I think he got the chance to be in Newcastle and continue playing in the main lineup, which gave him confidence and trust in his abilities," Ashley Cole said.

"Dan certainly trusts him and lets him play football at such a young age. I think he has a bright future, a bright future," he added.