Breaking down Chelsea’s potential UCL quarterfinal opponents

7. Paris Saint-Germain

Pros: Chelsea’s going to draw PSG simply because there is too much narrative to avoid it. Therefore, the best thing the Blues can do is to use that to their advantage.

The biggest one will be the chip on Thomas Tuchel’s shoulder. He was sacked not even four months ago and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. It should also be noted that Chelsea’s top choice to replace Frank Lampard was Pochettino as well, who they waited too long for. That gives Tuchel two chips on his shoulder for this one: one against PSG for sacking him and one for being a back up option to the manger in the opposite dugout.

One of the biggest pros is Pochettino has failed to get PSG firing in any way relatively comparable to Tuchel’s Chelsea. Usually at this point in the season, PSG are runaway winners of Ligue 1 but they are still fighting for it currently. That could split their attention enough for a well motivated Chelsea team to pounce.

There is also the not so small matter of PSG being experts at choking in the Champions League. They, like Manchester City, have put all their efforts into winning the trophy but they keep falling short. Last year they lost in the final to the best team in the world so no harm there. But who could forget them blowing a 2-0 lead to Manchester United or a 4-0 lead to Barcelona? It’s simply in their DNA at this point.

Blend all of that up and Tuchel has a powerful force he can use to his advantage to see his Chelsea side get one over on his former employer.

Cons: PSG is well aware of their history in the Champions League and, in these strange Covid times, that has seemingly been a boost for them. Tuchel got them into the finals last season quite comfortably and likely could have won it with them had Bayern not been the opponent. At the same time, Pochettino has made the final before (like Tuchel) with a much worse team. He has not been able to implement his tactics well in Paris yet but that may not matter when their most coveted piece of silverware is on the line.

Furthermore, even without solid tactics, PSG has one of the strongest teams in the world. Kylian Mbappe could absolutely wreck Chelsea’s current high line. Neymar too if he’s fit enough in time. That isn’t to mention the resurgent Angel Di Maria or even Mauro Icardi. Behind whatever trio they start will be a very solid midfield and defense that is nothing to shake a stick at either.

PSG is certainly beatable, but it would be the biggest coinflip matchup of the round if Chelsea draws them.

Who do you want to draw next round? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!