Gullit: Cheer Chelsea to glory

Ruud Gullit today predicted that with the help of their fans Chelsea could still become the first London club to win the European Cup.

Trailing 3-1 after a disastrous collapse in the first leg of the semi final, Chelsea attempt to salvage their European dream when they meet Monaco at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The winners meet Porto in Gelsenkirchen on May 26. Porto are managed by Jose Mourinho, who is set to become the new boss at Stamford Bridge next season.

But Gullit said: "I believe Chelsea can get to the final and win it. It will be a difficult task for them but they have the players and the experience to do it."

Gullit, who twice won the European Cup with AC Milan and was Chelsea's player-manager for two years, added: "I remember from my own days with Chelsea that playing at Stamford Bridge can be a huge advantage. If the crowd get behind the team they have a great chance of going through.

"But they must ensure they don't concede a goal. That would really leave them with an uphill climb. Claudio Ranieri has to get his tactics right because the onus is on them to score twice but they can't afford to concede any more goals."

Although he was sacked by Ken Bates, many feel that Gullit's two years at Chelsea prepared the groundwork for the club's more recent progress.

"Many people tell me that and I'm grateful," said the Dutch legend, who moved to Stamford Bridge as a player in June 1995. He has just ended a five-year exile from club football by agreeing to become first-team coach at Feyenoord in July. "I love football and missed full-time involvement in the game so I'm looking forward to that. You never know, one day I might return to the Premier League."