Joe Cole claims failed January transfers to blame for Chelsea loss to Bayern

Chelsea 's failure to sign a striker as per Frank Lampard's request in January was partly to blame for their comprehensive defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.

That is the view of former Blue Joe Cole who felt Olivier Giroud's lack of fitness and age told during their 3-0 loss.

The Frenchman has rarely featured this term and scored on Saturday against Tottenham, but being asked to replicate those levels three days later seemed beyond him.

And after being linked with the likes of Moussa Dembele Cole reckons their lack of firepower told against the German giants.

"Knowing this game was on the horizon Frank would've been desperate to get players in the door," he said on BT Sport.

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"He's asked Giroud who done brilliant for him at the weekend, but who has not been fit and is a 32-year-old striker, to come and lead your line against one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.

"He just looked like he ran out of steam – not recruiting has affected the performance and the team."

Serge Gnabry scored two quick fire goals in the second-half before Robert Lewandowski added a third.

Thomas Muller was also a constant threat while Kingsley Coman provided problems on the opposite flank to Gnabry which hammered home Bayern's attacking prowess.

Chelsea were unable to match it and lost to a German side at home in Europe for the first time and can all but wave goodbye to their Champions League hopes for another year.

Lampard has been promised plenty of funds in the summer with Dembele as well as Jadon Sancho linked with moves to Stamford Bridge as they look to close the gap to Europe's elite.

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