UCL Draw: Breaking down Chelsea’s group stage opponents
Chelsea qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in the Premier League last season but would have been assured of a place in the competition had they finished outside the top-four after winning the Europa League.
The west London outfit have since changed manager, replacing Maurizio Sarri with former midfielder Frank Lampard. The 41-year-old has endured a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge due to a FIFA-imposed transfer ban that has prevented Chelsea from signing any new players. They also lost star man Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, though have welcomed Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund after agreeing a deal for the starlet before the ban was enforced.
Opponent: Ajax
Best UCL finish: Winner
Last UCL finish: Semi-finals
Odds to win: 66/1 (Sky Bet)
Despite making it all the way to the last four of the Champions League last season and winning the Eredivisie in 2018/19, Ajax were forced to qualify for the group stage of the competition this season through the play-offs. Ajax suffered a scare in both qualifiers, overcoming PAOK 5-4 on aggregate before beating APOEL Nicosia 2-0 over two legs.
Ajax lost both Matthijs de Ligt and Frankie de Jong over the summer following their breathtaking displays in the Champions League last season but still have a squad packed with exciting talent. Attacking threats like David Neres and Hakim Ziyech are hard to look beyond, as is midfielder Donny van de Beek, but Ajax have two young defenders coming through worth keeping an eye on. Ajax already appear to have stumbled upon the next De Ligt in both Edson Alvarez and Perr Schuurs.
Opponent: Valencia
Best UCL finish: Final
Last UCL finish: Group Stage (2018/19)
Odds to win: 100/1 (Sky Bet)
Valencia survived competition from Getafe and Sevilla to secure fourth place in LaLiga last season and the final qualification place for the Champions League this season. This is the first time they have qualified for successive Champions League campaigns since 2011-2013.
Los Che haven’t been particularly aggressive in the transfer market to bolster their squad for the new season but did manage to fend off competition from West Ham for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez, while also signing Jasper Cillessen from Barcelona as their new first choice goalkeeper. With Rodrigo reportedly poised to join Atletico Madrid, there will be even more pressure on Gomez leading the line for Marcelino’s side.
Opponent: Lille
Best UCL finish: Round of 16
Last UCL finish: Group Stage (2012/13)
Odds to win: 250/1 (Sky Bet)
Lille ended a seven-year absence from the Champions League group stage after securing an unlikely second place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
The French side have, unfortunately, been gutted of talent over the summer, including Nicolas Pepe, recouping over well over £100m in player sales. Lille have spent half of the money raised on new talent and the most interesting of all is Renato Sanches. The 22-year-old failed to fulfil his immense talent at Bayern Munich and will now try and kickstart his career at Lille.
