Wednesday 24 September 2014 18:52, UK
Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman has said that his players will not be intimidated by Chelsea.
The Championship outfit will take on the Premier League leaders in the third round of the Capital One Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The Trotters will head into the encounter as the underdogs and on a run of poor form, having slipped down to just a place above the relegation zone following a 1-0 away defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Freedman understands that it will be a tall order for Bolton to win at Chelsea, but insists that his players will give Jose Mourinho’s team a run for their money.
Chelsea are the best team in the country. The league says so. They've grown since Mr Mourinho got them last year. They will prove to a lot of people that they are the best team in this year.
"In terms of playing Chelsea every season, this gives the players a taste," he told the Daily Telegraph. "This is what the great game of this country gives us.
"We can get put against teams from a different division with very different finances. We are playing one of the best teams in Europe.
"Chelsea are the best team in the country. The league says so. They've grown since Mr Mourinho got them last year. They will prove to a lot of people that they are the best team in this year.
"Mr Mourinho works with 22, 23 players and no matter who he picks the chance of them being an international player will be very high. I'm going to say to the players: 'We've worked hard for this. This is what you could be playing against.'
"We will give Chelsea respect but we won't be in fear of them. Mr Mourinho is one of the best in the business. He's proved that many times.
"I'll be encouraging my players, but also I'll be looking to my left to see how he's moving, his actions towards what's happening. I will be learning from this experience, growing from this experience, no matter the result."
