Frank Lampard believes Chelsea can flourish in the Champions League but his team of young starlets face a tough test to make it through the group. It is very early days but Lampard’s young guns have impressed so far in the Premier League and they will now get a chance to continue their progress on the European stage.
Chelsea entertain Valencia on Tuesday night in their opening Group H game and Lampard, who is no stranger to success in the competition as a player, knows this is a different test altogether.
Lampard says he is very confident that Chelsea can flourish in the tournament, but is not looking beyond the group stage, which is a wise move, because it is one of the toughest.
One of last season’s surprise packages in the tournament, Ajax, are in the group and will be looking to repeat their heroics of reaching the semi-finals, while Valencia and Lille are packed with quality and will also have high hopes of going through.
There are no easy games in the Premier League, but even more so at this stage of Champions League, and especially in a group like this one.
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It may be an obvious thing to say, but the home games are going to be crucial and if Chelsea can dominate them, then they will have a good chance of going through.
Which makes Tuesday night’s game massive. Three points will give the whole camp the belief they can go through, and will set them up nicely with tougher challenges on the horizon.
Lampard has been quick to point out that Chelsea cannot switch off for a second or they will be punished, and that could be one of the biggest tests for his young players.
As well as the youngsters have done so far in this campaign, Chelsea need to get some of the experienced players back in for the European campaign.
Antonio Rudiger’s experience in the heart of the defence will be crucial, but he will miss out against Los Che after tweaking his groin against Wolves at the weekend.
N’Golo Kante is another who has performed on the biggest stage and is now back fit, but it remains to be seen if he will be thrown back in.
Get through the group and there is a chance that Chelsea can surprise a few and go far, just like Lampard is predicting.
Chelsea are an unknown quantity in many respects this season. The European clubs will not know too much about the players and the style that Lampard will have them playing. That could be dangerous and weighs in Chelsea’s favour as they look to make an impact on the European stage.
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