Chelsea still have their work cut out for them if they’re serious about winning the UEFA Europa League but will be pleased with the result of the semi-final draw.
The Blues will play Swiss outfit FC Basel, conquerors of Spurs, who are a good side but the London club have the advantage of playing hosts for the second leg and also managed to avoid Benfica, whilst a trip to Istanbul to play Fenerbahce is arguably more daunting than visiting St Jakob-Park.
After suffering the dishonour of being the first Champions League winners to be knocked out in the first round of the following season, Chelsea find themselves once again as the last Premier League team standing in Europe and could be the first side to hold a Europa League title and Champions League title at the same time as the final in Amsterdam will be played 10 days prior to UEFA’s main event at Wembley.
Basel will be unfamiliar opponents for Chelsea and the Blues will have to be careful that they do not underestimate what is a good footballing side, especially as the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United have come unstuck against them previously.
The first leg of the semi-final will be played in Switzerland on Thursday 25th of April, with the follow-up scheduled for the 2nd of May at Stamford Bridge.
