Joe Cole has backed former teammate Frank Lampard to change the culture at Chelsea after the Blues legend succeeded Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard, 41, left Derby over the summer to take the reins at Chelsea after the club opted to part company with Sarri, despite winning the Europa League and securing a third-placed Premier League finish.
Cole has pointed to Manchester City as the "flag-bearers of excellence" in England currently, but believes Lampard's impact could see Chelsea play catch up and get back to challenging at the top of the table.
"It’s a chance to change the culture of the club and the image of the club," Cole told Mirror Football. "Chelsea are serial winners since Roman’s money came into the club.
"But it’s never been stable - so if you combine the two you’re going to be looking at a system like Barcelona , which is what Man City look to be building.
"We need to quickly play catch up. City are the flag bearers at the moment for excellence in this league."
Cole, 37, never had any doubt Lampard would go on to be a manager after playing alongside his big pal at both West Ham and Chelsea.
And the former Liverpool midfielder was confident Lampard would be in the Stamford Bridge dugout for the coming season as far back as January this year.
"You could see he was a leader, a natural leader," Cole added. "His management of games as a player was excellent.
"He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time and he is very intelligent. He has great football experience so it was always going to happen. I could see it from a very young age.
"I was excited for him [to get the job]. I was excited for the club.
"I actually thought from around January last year when he was doing such a good job at Derby and the way the club was going with Sarri, I thought it could happen.
"I think for a club like Chelsea to have one of your own taking the job who is held at such high esteem by everyone with bring a real element of harmony which is what the club needs to compete.
"It’s not just a case of buying players or changing managers, now there is a plan in place. Everything need to be working in the same direction and thats what Frank can bring."
Cole also believes Lampard's appointment will see opportunities for young players at the club increase.
Chelsea are under a transfer embargo and have promoted several youngsters to the first-team squad ahead of the new campaign.
Cole said: "I think Frank will galvanise not just the first team but the whole club. The young players, their motivation levels will be spiked because the path will be seen.
"There are young players having a great pre-season and there is more to come. He galvanises the whole club with what he brings.
"Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Rhys James - when he gets over his injury - those three will go straight into the first-team squad. Like Frank says, if you're good enough you’re old enough.
"It doesn’t matter whether you came through the system, his job is to be fair and pick the best players. Tammy and Mason have had a great pre-season and they will be well in the frame.
"That's just three I’ve mentioned, I could mention another 10. Those lads are pushing and that's what the club wants and needs."
Sarri left Chelsea for Juventus after coming in for criticism from Blues supporters despite leading the club to the Europa League title.
And Cole, who has spent time in and around Cobham with the academy, believes his departure was the best course of action for all concerned.
"I think it was amicable in the end," he added. It was one of those decisions where for every party - Juventus, Sarri, Chelsea - it made sense.
"Sarri has won something and moved on to a club he wants to be at. Chelsea have got Champions League football and their new manager in place. For everyone involved it was the right decision."
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