“It’s important” – Chelsea squad issued warning ahead of Carabao Cup semi-final vs Middlesbrough

Enzo Fernandez has issued a rallying message to his Chelsea teammates ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash against Middlesbrough.

Chelsea welcome Michael Carrick’s side to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with the winner of the tie progressing into next month’s final at Wembley where they will face either Liverpool or Fulham.

Middlesbrough, surprisingly, hold the advantage in the tie after a 1-0 win, courtesy of Hayden Hackney, in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium earlier this month.

Chelsea remain the favourites to go through on Tuesday night for their first chance of silverware since Mauricio Pochettino‘s summer arrival.

Cole Palmer missed two fantastic chances to net in the first leg and he, but also the whole team, will need to ensure they are clinical and ruthless as Middlesbrough look to defend for their lives to hold onto their slender one goal advantage.

Pochettino know they still have 90 minutes to put their first leg defeat right. They were handed several days off after their 1-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League to rest and recover, before preparing for the semi-final tie.

Speaking to ESPN Argentina, Enzo Fernandez has highlighted the importance of reaching the Carabao Cup final and issued an ‘important’ message to the rest of the dressing room to ensure they are ready to complete the job in west London.

“It’s important,” said Enzo of overturning the deficit against the Championship side, “we give importance to everything we compete for, Chelsea is a very big institution and it thrives on winning and competing.

“It’s important to reach the final and win it.”

The 23-year-old added: “It’s a bit of a turbulent balance, trying to do the best we can in the remainder of the year to finish in the Champions League places. We are still in the FA Cup and we have the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

“There is still a lot to go, with the peace of mind that there is still time, but with the responsibility that it deserves, trying to give the best of our side by training and being positive. We have a great squad.”