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Three things to look for as Chelsea travels to Sevilla for a decisive match

By Nathaniel Kay

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Reece James of Chelsea competes for the ball with Marcos Acuña of Sevilla during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and FC Sevilla at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2020 in London, England.Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Reece James of Chelsea competes for the ball with Marcos Acuña of Sevilla during the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and FC Sevilla at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2020 in London, England.Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English coach Frank Lampard gestures from the sideline during the UEFA Champions League football match between Krasnodar and Chelsea at the Krasnodar stadium in Krasnodar on October 28, 2020. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English coach Frank Lampard gestures from the sideline during the UEFA Champions League football match between Krasnodar and Chelsea at the Krasnodar stadium in Krasnodar on October 28, 2020. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. How strong will Lampard’s line-up be?

All of this being said about rotation, there is still the nagging prospect of finishing as the group’s runner-up. Thus, potentially pitting Chelsea on the tougher side of the draw. The Blues and Sevilla are level on 10 points, separated by the former’s superior goal difference. UEFA’s latest format prevents those from the same country being facing one another in the round of 16, eliminating Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United (for now), granted they all progress.

This does leave the possibility of some mouth-watering encounters for the neutral, though the thought of entertainment value won’t be top of Chelsea’s priority list. Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Atletico and Real Madrid are all in contention to advance and cross swords with the Blues. How Lampard approaches his next bout could be crucial as to how far Chelsea travels in the competition.

The manager does have plenty in reserve, the quality stretching far and beyond, but he would be unwise to disrupt the rhythm too much as the choir begins to sing in harmony. Uncertainty already lingers over Ben Chilwell’s fitness after rolling his ankle against Spurs, which will require a reshuffling of the pack anyway. It’s a question of who Lampard trusts for the big occasions, and although this game has less gravity than most, he will demand those who are selected to step up and prove their worth.

How the gaffer approaches the tie tactically will also be interesting. Does Lampard take his foot off the gas, save energy, ensure damage limitation and be happy with a draw? Or, does he go full throttle, try to wipe out Sevilla and leave no uncertainty by topping the group? Leeds United is looming as the next challenger in the Premier League on Saturday, perhaps caution over chaos would be the best solution.

Chelsea's youth stars Soonsup-Bell, Livramento and Bate point to great future. dark. Next

What are some of the things you’ll be looking for in the match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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