“Be cautious” Pundit pinpoints how Lampard can neutralize Real Madrid duo

Gabby Agbonlahor urges Frank Lampard play Chelsea duo Thiago Silva and Reece James against Real Madrid

Gabby Agbonlahor has advised Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to start Thiago Silva and Reece James in order to neutralise players like Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in their Champions League last-eight match against Real Madrid

James will undoubtedly be in the starting lineup against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, while Thiago Silva, who has resumed training, may also start. Having them at the back will give the Chelsea defence a massive boost.

They will also encounter players like Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema, who are on fire for Real Madrid. They will be looking to take advantage of any opening against the Blues.

The Madrid pair handily dispatched Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield in the opening leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Blues could suffer the same fate of they let their guard down. Anything less than our best and ti could prove to be a night to forget.

Agbonlahor believes that starting Silva and James at the back would be the best move for Chelsea if they want to keep them at bay. (h/t Football.London), In his talkSPORT discussion, he stated:

“You have to be cautious. Vinicius: If I’m Frank Lampard, I’m telling Reece James to follow him; he’s done well against them before. Karim [Benzema]: You want Thiago Silva back with his experience against Benzema. He’s a poacher; if you take your eye off him for a second, he’ll score a goal.”

It is undeniably true that Benzema and Vinicius can complement each other really well and play quick one-on-one to get away from high-pressing teams. We witnessed this last year when they both contributed to Real Madrid’s three goals in the first leg of the round of 16 against Chelsea.

But concentrating entirely on them will be ineffective since Madrid have talented midfielders as well. If you neutralise the attackers, the midfield will find solutions. It would be in our best interests to take the game to Real and have them worry about adapting to the match.

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Since Silva hasn’t played since the team’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, it’s quite doubtful that Lampard deploy him; instead, Wesley Fofana should in all likelihood start. James will undoubtedly take the pitch as his pace could help stifle Vinicius’s runs.