Chelsea make the long trip to Azerbaijan this week to take on Qarabag in the Champions League.
This will not be the first time that Chelsea and Qarabag go head-to-head. The two teams faced each other twice during the 2017/18 Champions League campaign.
The Blues won on both occasions, with their most recent meeting ending 4-0 in their favour.
Their attack was on fire that afternoon, and it could be a similar story on Wednesday. Enzo Maresca is likely to make changes, but Chelsea will still put out a dangerous team.
Chelsea players celebrating after goal vs Qarabag
Photo by Aziz Karimov/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Qarabag could not deal with Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro
Antonio Conte, who was still in charge of Chelsea at the time, went with a forward line of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro. The trio did not disappoint.
Willian grabbed a brace, while Hazard, playing as a false nine on the day, managed to score from the penalty spot.
Cesc Fabregas bagged Chelsea’s other goal, which also came from the penalty spot, but Pedro was able to provide an assist for one of Willian’s strikes. The other was set up by Hazard.
Of course, not all of the Blues’ attacking signings have worked out. For example, Marko Marin failed miserably in west London despite having so much potential.
However, Willian, Pedro and, of course, Hazard were all huge successes at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian hugging
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens will cause more havoc
This time around, Qarabag are likely to face a Chelsea attack consisting of Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Facundo Buonanotte.
Estevao and Gittens were terrific in the Club World Cup holders’ win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week and were left on the bench for the victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
It means that both players are likely to start this Wednesday, and after tearing Wolves apart, Qarabag should be worried.
That night, Gittens scored a belter while registering a couple of assists. Estevao also managed to get his name on the scoresheet with a delightful chip.
Estevao, Gittens and whoever else starts in attack for Chelsea will simply be too much for Qarabag to handle.