After beating Rennes earlier this week I thought instead of talking about three players (of whom I’m rapidly running out of) I’d raise the question of who do Chelsea want to avoid in the next round of the Champions League.
I’ll touch on a few teams I’ve managed to watch and try to make some sort of assumption as to how Chelsea will do given the fact we could draw them. I’ve obviously focused on the big boys here but I’ve also thrown in a couple of new teams that could seriously upset the apple cart.
It goes without saying that we don’t really want to face last season’s winners Bayern Munich and the likes of Zidane’s Real Madrid, or do we?
Real Madrid started the campaign awfully and have a very shaky backline. The likes of Hakim Ziyech and Mason Mount would pick key passes for hours against a defence like Real Madrid.
Timo Werner would also run them ragged. Eden Hazard has started coming back to his best for Madrid but I honestly can’t see Reece James struggling against a Hazard very reminiscent of the 2015 version of himself who is most definitely not 100%. For me, Real would be an ideal draw.
(He hadn’t limped off injured, again, when I wrote this)
Lazio have seemed a very competent side. I can see them piping Borussia Dortmund to top spot in their group too. Ciro Immobile would cause no end of problems for us at the back, his clever runs and quick burst of pace I think could be the undoing of Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva.
They will also feel like they have a point to prove as they haven’t done this well in the Champions League for nearly 20 years. Every game for them after the group would be a final. A dangerous entity is Lazio and I think we should hope to avoid them. Lazio for me, would be an avoid in the round of 16.
Barcelona have had an abject season so far and at the time of writing are positioned 13th in La Liga. Which for their standards is obviously pretty poor. Messi isn’t the same and wants out. No more Suarez. You now have the perfect recipe for a Chelsea V Barcelona tie. I personally have always thought we are the only team in Europe that no matter what, can give Barcelona a good go.
We have one of the best records against them in Europe and with this group of players we really could cause some damage. Our counter attack would devastate their back line and Tammy Abraham or Oliver Giroud would be an aerial nightmare. The away leg would obviously be difficult but I think the home game could see 3 or 4 goals for Chelsea.
PSG are again a team who seem to be mis-firing this season. However I don’t think we’d be totally safe against them. With Mbappe and Neymar you have two world class players who, if they turn up on the day, would cause our defence no end of problems.
PSG have also acquired Florenzi from Roma who would give Werner a run for his money down the left side. However if Pulisic is fit I can’t see Florenzi stopping him for a full 90 minutes let alone two legs. Icardi up front for Paris would be an easy day at the office for Silva.
He’s a striker I’ve never really rated that highly and considering that he played with Silva last season you have the makings of a ‘I know all your tricks’ scenario. I know that goes both ways. However it normally goes in the favour of the defender. PSG would be a hard draw but not un-winnable.
Juventus is another huge team in Europe who don’t quite look at it this year. Under new coach Andrea Pirlo, they haven’t hit the right note. Another team of class players mind it’s one I want to avoid. Mainly due to the fact they have Ronaldo. No matter how bad any team plays, when he’s up for it in the Champions League he’s unstoppable. So Juve is an avoid.
Borussia Mönchengladbach have been in great form this campaign and seem to be taking Inter’s place in the round of 16. Pacy winger Thuram seems to be having a blinding season also. Aside from him on paper I think Chelsea would be absolutely fine. However these dark horse teams could easily be like another Napoli in 2012.
All in all I think this is a season that regarding the draw falls our way we could have a very good run in the Champions League. A Semi-Final place could surely be up for grabs regarding that we have a good run and gain even more confidence against the big sides from now until February.
If it was down to me I’d choose either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Obviously there may be a few lesser sides that may also make it through, but in terms of the big clubs and a few new cowboy teams, these are the ones we should be looking out for.
Those are the two I’d choose for us to face straight out of the group. I also think if Chelsea were to beat one of these teams in the first knockout round the confidence in the team would soar. So hopefully, with some luck Chelsea can have a decent run in the Champions League this season.
Up the Chels.
