After failing to beat Atletico Madrid, Chelsea fans have been worrying about the big teams they could draw. However, it is the big teams who should be worrying about facing the Blues.
Chelsea could have (theoretically) made their life easier on Tuesday. A win at home against Atletico Madrid would have seen them finish at the top of their Champions League group. Instead, they drew and will face a group winner in the Round of 16. Given that the four other English teams qualified in first, the Blues will face Barcelona, PSG or Besiktas.
Fans have been slightly aggrieved by the club’s inability to secure an easier Round of 16 tie. The club did not strengthen over the summer and have not looked like world-beaters for large parts of this season. Chelsea need an easy draw to go far in this year’s Champions League.
Apparently.
However, instead of fearing a thrashing at the hands of PSG and Barcelona, Chelsea should be relishing the opportunity to knock them out. The Blues are European dark horses this season.
Antonio Conte’s men stumbled out of the starting blocks, but they have come into their own in recent weeks. The players have adapted to the 3-5-2 and the likes of Eden Hazard are firing on all cylinders. The club’s early-season results have masked the true quality of their starting eleven. People aren’t regarding the Blues as real Champions League contenders, but they should be.
With that, Barcelona and PSG should be the concerned teams. Having supposedly secured an easier draw, they could potentially face Chelsea. The coaches at both clubs will be smart enough to realise that the Blues are far more dangerous than pundits and armchair viewers are claiming.
Conte’s strongest team can match up with both clubs man for man. Furthermore, there is a rich history with both footballing giants that will only provide more inspiration. Years of being knocked out by PSG and getting the short end of the stick against Barcelona will only push this current crop of Blues players to make a statement.
Next: Will Conte continue to rotate in December?
Chelsea fans should stop being worried by the Round of 16 draw. The Blues have the right tools to beat whoever is put in their path. Instead, the three eligible group winners should be praying to avoid a trip to the English capital.