Ex-Chelsea man says Blues must attack

Former Chelsea stalwart Frank Sinclair believes it would be foolish for the Blues to play defensively and look to protect their 2-1 advantage in the Europa League semi-final second leg against Basel on Thursday.

David Luiz’s last-gasp free-kick gave them victory in the away leg last week and the luxury of two away goals.

A draw or even a 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge would see Rafael Benitez’s side progress to the final in Amsterdam.

But fledgling player-manager Sinclair, who has just masterminded non-League Colwyn Bay’s unlikely escape from relegation, told West London Sport: “There is no point in sitting back and trying to defend.

“You will get caught out trying to do that for an entire game against that sort of quality. You have to pose a threat at the other end and that is one of the main strengths Chelsea have with their attacking quality.

“Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar and Fernando Torres can take the game away from them.

“Obviously Chelsea are in the driving seat, and from what I have seen and heard they definitely have that confidence and hunger to win another cup final.

“They will have to come on to us and that will suit us as we can play on the counter-attack. The job’s been half-done out there with a solid performance where we were bang on it from the start.

“You have to fancy us at home. They will need at least two goals to go through at Stamford Bridge and although the players cannot afford to be complacent, I’d be amazed if they don’t go through.”

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