Rio Ferdinand says unity is a huge factor in Chelsea’s success

Rio Ferdinand says Chelsea unity and spirit shone through in the “brutal” 2-0 Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues eased into the final thanks to a dominant 3-1 aggregate win over the La Liga side.

“Chelsea looked like a young, energised team that were hungry,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“They did it with some authority. They were the stronger, more physical team. They had a tenacity about then and looked like a group. They were together.

“There was not just one leader on the pitch. There were loads, Rudiger, Mendy, Azpilicueta. The character is the thing that strikes me about Chelsea.

“Some of the players are out and some are in but they are all together that. Pulisic doesnt start but he makes an impact when he comes in and gets an assist for a goal.”

Ferdinand said the victory, which has taken Chelsea to their first Champions League final since 2012, dominated the game at Stamford Bridge and could easily have won by a greater margin.

Timo Werner, Mount, N’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz all wasted great chances while Havertz hit the bar with a fine header effort and Thiago Silva twice went close with headers.

“Chelsea could have won by five or six goals,” Ferdinand added. “They were tremendous. They were brutal in the transitions breaking from midfield.

“They did it for the first goal and they did it time and time again after that.

“They didn’t have the finishing on the night but they got the job done.”