‘Gap not as big as people think’ – Joe Cole hopeful Chelsea can spring upset away to European champions Real Madrid

The gap between struggling Chelsea and reigning European champions Real Madrid isn’t as big as many people believe ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash, according to Joe Cole. Former boss Frank Lampard was re-appointed by the Blues last week, becoming their third manager of the 2022/23 campaign after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were sacked.

Ad The Stamford Bridge club are winless in their last four games and lost 1-0 to Wolves in Lampard’s second debut on Saturday, but former Chelsea player Cole isn’t ruling out a shock in Wednesday’s first leg clash against the 14-time European champions. Champions LeagueAncelotti 'sad' to see Chelsea struggling, rules out returning to the club17 HOURS AGO “It’s a tall order for Chelsea, but I don’t think the gap is as big as people think,” Cole told BT Sport.

When asked if Lampard can get more out of the players, Cole replied: “He certainly can. Like Frank said in his interview, it’s a difficult season for Chelsea and they’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

“You have to put that into perspective with where the club has been for the last 20 years. There is a big change.

We’ve had 30 players change, managers, owners, everything – it’s a big, big change.” Former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman, who won two Champions League titles during a four-year spell in the Spanish capital, agrees that the Merengues have shown weaknesses recently. Lampard wary of 'special' Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-final Guardiola wary of 'Bayern mentality', Tuchel says he 'fell in love' with his side Ancelotti laughs off rumours of Chelsea return, but 'sad' to see club struggling Carlo Ancelotti’s side sit 13 points behind Barcelona in La Liga and they are coming