Ex-Chelsea
defender Frank Sinclair believes his former team’s shock FA Cup defeat to
Bradford is bad news for their Capital One Cup semi-final opponents
Liverpool.
Bradford pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in FA Cup history when
they came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, after
which Jose Mourinho branded his team’s performance a disgrace.
Sinclair feels that shock result and Mourinho’s stinging criticism
afterwards will have Chelsea fired up and determined to be at their best
against Liverpool on Tuesday.
“I’m sure the players would have taken that to heart,” Sinclair told Sky
Sports News HQ. “It was a very disappointing result losing to Bradford.
“Bradford played well and you have got to give them credit but with the side
that Chelsea played and the internationals going into the team, you would
have expected them to get a result.
“For me that just makes this game even bigger. To get to Wembley and play in
a final is crucial for Chelsea.
“With the rest of the league campaign and the Champions League campaign, to
get one trophy under your belt – it provides a lot of confidence for the
team going forward.”
The tie stands evenly poised heading into the second leg as the teams
battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Anfield, in a game where Liverpool
largely outplayed the Premier League leaders.
Sinclair believes Liverpool’s failure to capitalise upon their dominance
will come back to haunt them and feels Chelsea will be much improved in the
second leg at Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea will be quite happy with the result being 1-1 because Liverpool
played really well last week and probably should have been going into this
game with a bigger advantage,” Sinclair said.
“But Chelsea showed resilience and they will be happy going into this game.
It will be a totally different game with Chelsea being at home.
“I’d expect to manage the game better and get the result they need to get to
Wembley.”
One Chelsea player who may be leaving the club in the January transfer
window is Andre Schurrle with the German international keen on a move to
Wolfsburg, according to Sky sources.
Sinclair would be surprised to see the forward leave Stamford Bridge and
feels it is vital he is replaced if he is allowed to go.
Sinclair said. “Jose has touched on not needing to strengthen the squad so
for anybody as important as Schurrle to go out
“He has not played as much as he would have wanted and started as much he
would have wanted this season on the back of winning the World Cup but he
certainly has come in stages and effected games.
“To lose Schurrle, you would certainly expect someone in the pipeline to
come in. I still think he has a major part to play but obviously he not been
a main figure this season.
“If he gets the opportunity to go and play elsewhere, I think Chelsea will
have to go and improve the squad in that position.”
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