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Ranking Chelsea’s potential Round of 16 opponents by narrative

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Jorginho of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Jorginho of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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chelsea, callum hudson-odoi, ethan ampadu
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Chelsea has advanced to the round of 16 of the Champions League. Which match up has the juiciest narrative(s) for the next round?

Chelsea made a tougher task of it than maybe they could have, but the Blues have advanced to the next round of the Champions League. Because of Valencia’s superior head to head record, the Blues have a stacked set of opponents they could play. But while their quality is one thing, their narrative is another. Some of these games are stacked with fun side stories. Which match up has the best narrative?

5. RB Leipzig

It is not a knock against Leipzig that Chelsea has no history against them because Leipzig simply has no history against anyone. Part of the ever growing Red Bull football empire, Leipzig is only making their first knockout round match in the Champions League this season.

New manager Julian Nagelsmann is extremely bright tactically, but he is also harvesting a lot of work the side has put in over recent seasons. Leipzig remains one of the world’s most aggressive, exciting sides to watch and it is all built on top of super youth talents throughout the team.

The only real narrative this match could potentially have involves Ethan Ampadu. The Welshman has been on loan there all season but has struggled with injuries. He is slowly finding his way into playing time now but he is hardly a main starter currently. It may be an issue if he cannot play against Chelsea, but realistically if that is the only narrative, this match is a bit boring.

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