Lille captain Jose Fonte has heaped praise on Thomas Tuchel but warned Chelsea that they will not have it easy in their Champions League clash on Tuesday night.
The two teams meet in the first-leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night with Tuchel looking to retain the Blues' European crown.
Spirits were high among fans when Chelsea were drawn against the reigning French champions back in December, having dodged the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
And Fonte has reflected on the gulf in class between Lille and Chelsea in his pre-match press conference, piling the praise on the Blues and their manager.
“Collectively, Chelsea are very strong,” Fonte said on Monday, via RMC Sport.
“They attack well, they defend well. They have a great coach, and they are the defending champions of this Champions League.
“There’s nothing [else] to say.”
Fonte, who spent six years in the Premier League with Southampton and West Ham, admitted that despite beating Paris Saint-Germain to the biggest prize in France, Chelsea remain convincing favourites.
However, he also sent the Blues a warning, insisting that they will give it everything possible on Tuesday night as they attempt to upset the form book and cause an upset.
“Chelsea are clear favourites, that’s the truth,” he explained.
“When you see the budget, the squad, they are the favourites. There is no doubt about that. But we, as players and as men, with our ambition and our solidarity, will show that it is possible to do something.
“That’s why we’re going to fight tomorrow. We will have our say.”
The return leg in France takes place on Wednesday March 16.
