CHRISTIAN Bassila believes Sunderland were unlucky to lose to Premiership champions Chelsea on Saturday, writes WILL SCOTT.

Despite the 2-0 reverse, Bassila's impressive debut was one of several positives to emerge with manager Mick McCarthy playing his recent signing from Strasbourg at the base of a five-man midfield.

Bassila was a constant thorn in the Chelsea side making a general nuisance of himself by breaking up their attacking rhythm and fluency throughout the game.

And the 27-year-old Frenchman admitted: "I'm a little bit disappointed. We were very unlucky because I think we played a good game in the first half. In the second half it was more difficult.

"But once it was over we started thinking about the next game, against West Bromwich at home, and I hope we win."

Bassila is no stranger to the Premiership and made four substitute appearances for West Ham five years ago. But he believes it may take a little longer to pick up the pace of the English game after admitting he isn't fully fit.

"I've not played for two weeks," confessed Bassila. "It was a little difficult at the end of the game but I think with time I will feel better and better and I will soon be fit.

"For me, sitting in midfield is my job. I like to tackle and take the ball off the feet of opponents, it's my job. I have long legs.

"I'm not as fit as I would like to be and I know I can bring a lot of things to the team, but I will come back fitter. The Premier League doesn't play football like in France. In France it's more tactical.

"They play very quickly (in England), you need good concentration and you need to be fit because on the pitch it's very hard. But I have high hopes for the next game."

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