Chelsea are working hard to prepare to face Middlesbrough in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The Blues are on a high after beating Preston North End 4-0 in the FA Cup third round.

But now they take on an improved Boro side, who are moving up the Championship table.

“Tuesday is such an important game," explained boss Mauricio Pochettino to reporters.

“Middlesbrough are a very good side that we need to respect. The game [against Preston] was a great example that we need to respect every opponent.

“If we go to Middlesbrough and we start the game as we started on Saturday [against Preston], we are going to find it more than difficult.

“We have to use Preston as an example where we need to start matches like we started the second half."