Chelsea icon Joe Cole makes strange Sadiq Khan joke as 'pickpocket' claim made

Chelsea legend Joe Cole made an unusual joke about Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan's record on pickpocketing while lauding Moises Caicedo after the 1-0 triumph over Benfica in the Champions League.

On TNT Sport, following the victory, he remarked: "Meand Owen [Hargreaves] were blown away by him [Moises Caicedo]. He was just pickpocketing people which does happen in London unfortunately, Mr Khan."

Cole's remarks came hot on the heels of Khan's rebuttal to politicians for distorting crime statistics in the capital. The Labour Mayor clarified: "We've seen a number of politicians here and across the globe talking down London and spreading misinformation about crime and safety in the capital.

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"The evidence is clear, our approach to tackling crime and its complex causes works. It's driving down violence right across the capital."

Among those criticising Khan was US President Donald Trump. He maintained that crime in London was 'through the roof' under the Labour politician's leadership and that he was doing a 'terrible job'.

Khan was also notably absent from the state banquet welcoming President Trump to the UK earlier this month. Cole's peculiar comment about Khan followed a successful evening for Chelsea on the pitch.

The Blues secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Richard Rios' own goal in the first half. However, the night was slightly marred towards the end when Joao Pedro received a red card for a second bookable offence.

He will be absent from Chelsea's Champions League match against Ajax at Stamford Bridge on October 22. This victory marked Chelsea's first in the competition this season, following a loss to Bayern Munich in their opening game.