We do not fear Chelsea, says Edu

By Mandeep Sanghera

Edu was a cultured and respected player in his time at Arsenal

Valencia midfielder Edu insists the Spanish side will not be overawed by Chelsea in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg.

Edu, who spent four-and-a-half seasons at Arsenal, is currently out with a long-term knee injury.

But the 28-year-old told BBC Sport: "Valencia will show a respect of Chelsea. We know how big and how good they are but scared? Of course not.

"In football you can never be scared to play somebody else."

He added: "We will try to play our football and try to win the game.

"We know how strong they are because everybody follows the Premiership in Spain.

"A lot of people know how good the players are that they have and that Jose Mourinho is a very good coach. That's a reason we have a big respect for the club."

Shevchenko is very good and Didier Drogba is in a very good moment Edu on Chelsea

Valencia knocked out Italian league leaders Inter Milan in the last round and Edu believes playing against high-profile rivals brings out the best in the Mestalla side.

"I'm sure it will be difficult for Valencia but when we play against the big teams we always do well so it will be a good game to watch," he said.

"I think Valencia have the same chance of beating Chelsea as we did against Inter Milan.

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"Everybody knows how difficult it will be and how strong Chelsea are but, like I said, when Valencia play a bigger team they play better than a game in the league."

Edu was a major influence in Arsenal's success after joining the club in January 2001 and moved to Valencia in May 2005.

But he has spent most of his time at the club on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in training last season and a similar problem to his right knee during the current campaign.

Villa is highly rated by Edu and is crucial to Valencia's hopes

Nevertheless, Edu is aware of the threat posed by a strong Chelsea outfit, especially strikers Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko, but insists Valencia also have their match-winners.

Edu commented: "Shevchenko is very good and Didier Drogba is in a very good moment.

"But it is not fair to pick two or three players because when you talk about Chelsea you have to talk about everyone as they have all sorts of good players in their squad."

But he stated: "Our squad is strong and we are very together.

"We have a very good striker - who I think people know because he plays for Spain and is doing well in the league and Champions League - he is David Villa.

"We also have other good players and a squad with two or three big players to win the game."