Joe Cole slammed the player power that exists at Stamford Bridge in the wake of his pal Frank Lampard’s brutal sacking.

Speaking on the latest edition of the All To Play For podcast put together by bookmaker Coral and Joe, Cole said: “It is a difficult one for me to comment on as I know everybody involved. I know Frank, Jody Morris, Petr Cech and the owner.

“The people who made the decision will argue it isn’t a problem. There does seem to be an issue at the club though, in that certain players have too much of an influence over what goes on.

“They have a direct line up to those making the decisions over who is in charge – that needs to stop if Thomas Tuchel is to be a success.

“In six months, there will be 11 players out of the team and not in form.

“They cannot go to their agents or however they go about it and start bringing discontent to the club. Imagine if that went on at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge?”