Joe Cole comments on Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, sends message to club’s senior figures

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Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente scored as his side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Chelsea on Thursday night.

Joe Cole has criticised the ‘fantastic’ Fernando Llorente and insisted he is ‘not the answer’ for Tottenham if they want to get to the ‘next level’ following their defeat to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.

The former Premier League winner also sent a message to the club’s senior figures, Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy by urging them to now focus on the Champions League.

Llorente scored for Spurs during their semi-final showdown at Stamford Bridge, with the home team winning the two-legged tie on penalties – but Cole was not having any of it as he provided a blunt assessment of the Spanish striker.

“If I am Daniel Levy or Pochettino now looking at that game tonight thinking ‘right, we have got Champions League’s games, we need to stay in the Champions League positions’,” Cole told Sky Sports Football on 24/01/2019.

“Llorente, yes it is great he scored, but he’s not the answer if you are going to go onto that next level. He’s a fantastic player and he’s had a fantastic career.

N’Golo Kante opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first half, with Eden Hazard doubling his side’s lead before the break and overturning Spurs’ one-goal deficit over the two legs.

But Llorente headed in the fourth goal of the 180-minute encounter and ensured the tie went to penalties – Chelsea scored all their spot kicks and the away side missed two [BBC Sport].

Following Harry Kane’s injury against Manchester United just under two weeks ago, Llorente became a much-talked-about figure as some questioned whether he can fill the forward role until March.

Both Kane and Dele Alli, who have suffered ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively, will be out of action for around two months, with Heung-min Son on international duty with South Korea.

Pochettino’s side will now turn their attention to the weekend where they will face fellow London neighbours Crystal Palace in a mouthwatering FA Cup contest.