Former Chelsea striker Joe Cole has slammed the club for selling ‘world-class’ Kai Havertz to Arsenal.
He stated this following Xabi Alonso’s team’s 2-1 defeat against the Premier League champions on Sunday.
Havertz played a crucial role in helping Arsenal maintain their flawless start to the new season by netting the equaliser for the Gunners.
Chelsea’s summer signing, Morgan Rogers, gave the visitors an early lead within two minutes, but Havertz equalised midway through the first half.
Martin Odegaard put Arsenal in the lead shortly after the break, and his goal ultimately proved decisive as Chelsea were unable to find an equaliser.
This outcome means that only Arsenal and Manchester City have achieved a perfect nine points from their opening three matches, while Chelsea remain in fourth place with six points.
Arsenal’s £65m signing of Havertz in 2023 raised questions due to the German’s inconsistent three seasons at Stamford Bridge.
However, Havertz has now established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice striker, surpassing £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Cole told Premier League Productions: “I believe that if you have Kai Havertz at your club, you are observing him daily, week after week.
“Coaches and managers may come and go, but the Directors of Football? Consider the substantial amount of money the club has invested in centre-forwards since he departed.
“This situation is simply unacceptable; it must come to an end. It happened with Kevin De Bruyne [leaving]; it happened with Kai Havertz.
“Such transactions never took place at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, nor with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
“When did you hear of them letting go of a player who went on to become world class at one of your rivals?”