Joe Cole believes Chelsea will struggle to attract top quality players if they only have Europa Conference League football to offer this summer - and a 'big cull' of their current squad is needed first.
The Blues are languishing down in 11th place in the Premier League and will be hard pushed to make it into continental competition next season.
Their hopes of going all the way in the Champions League have also faded after Real Madrid beat them 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday night.