Joe Cole names Chelsea trio as key to Real Madrid comeback next week

Chelsea hero Joe Cole believes his former side have a chance of overcoming their 2-0 deficit against Real Madrid. The Blues were beaten at the Bernabeu on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final but Cole reckons Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz in particular could produce the goods to turn the tie around at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio gave the reigning champions a relatively comfortable win in the Spanish capital. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men at 1-0 when Ben Chilwell was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

It could have been uglier for the visitors if Real were more ruthless in front of goal. But there is still hope for Chelsea for the return leg next Tuesday.

Chelsea have to play Brighton first in the Premier League on Saturday. Cole believes it is vital they beat the Seagulls to give some of their players some confidence in attacking areas ahead of Real’s trip to London after failing to score in four straight matches.

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Cole said on BT Sport: “It’s not over. Hard night, the moments went to Real Madrid. Real Madrid were the better side, let’s not forget they’re the champions, they’re an outstanding team with an outstanding front line.

“Chelsea came here and there was some moments in the first half where Chelsea had some chances. The positive out the game is that they’re still in it – they’re still in it and they showed character, heart and fight to stay in there and dig in there.

“What this club needs is a big result on Saturday to go into that game on Tuesday night and really have a go. Frank will be really proud with his players in the last 20 minutes there because this is the hardest place to come to in European football, and to do it with 10 men after going a goal down as well, it was a tall ask there.”

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Cole believes the Chelsea forward line of Sterling, Felix and Havertz can cause Real trouble in particular. However, he says they must use Saturday as a perfect opportunity to rediscover some form in front of goal first.

He added: “You look at some of the players and names they’ve got, in the forward line, all of them top players – Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Kai Havertz.

“We’ve seen them have big moments and won multiple trophies between them but you’ve got to get them some kind of belief, only a result can do that.”

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