Jose tells duo they will start against Basel

Frank Lampard and Oscar will definitely start Chelsea’s opening Champions League match against Basel on Wednesday night.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is due to reveal his starting line-up to the rest of the squad when they meet on Tuesday evening.

But Oscar and veteran midfielder Lampard have already been told that they will be in the team to face the Swiss side at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho explained: “Sometimes the players know [the line-up] but this time they don’t know.

“I spoke with a couple of players individually about the game tomorrow, so they know they are going to start.

“Lampard and Oscar know they will start. All the others I didn’t speak with.”

Chelsea have no injury problems ahead of the game and are strongly fancied to get their European campaign off to a winning start.

But Mourinho insisted that they cannot afford to underestimate Basel, who have shown in recent seasons that they are capable of surprising English clubs.

“I want us to start this new phase by winning,” he said.

“Maybe lots of people think Basel is a team that are not so difficult.

“I just remember two years ago – Man United out and Basel through – and last year – Tottenham out and Basel through – so it’s a difficult team.

“Last season Chelsea went out of its natural habitat, which is the Champions League. We don’t want to do that again.

“We don’t want to play in the Europa League, we want to play in the Champions League, and I think when you start the group with a victory it’s a big step towards qualifying.

“In the evolution of this club, it’s very important for these players to play at the highest level and that’s the Champions League, not Europa League.

“I want to qualify for that next phase. It’s very important for everybody at the club.”

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