Chelsea have endured a mixed start to the 2025/26 Champions League that currently leaves them unlikely to make the top eight of the group stages.
Enzo Maresca will have been desperate to finish in these places due to them skipping the play-off stage, and playing two fewer games than some of their elite rivals in Europe.
However, a disappointing draw against Qarabag in their last fixture sees them sit on seven points after their first game, albeit having the task of facing Bayern Munich away from home out of the way.
At the halfway stage of the groups, Chelsea currently sit 12th in the table, which is more than enough for them to make it into the play-offs.
Enzo Maresca in the dugout for Chelsea
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Chelsea could face PSG in Champions League Round of 16 if group stages ended now
If the group stages ended today, as per Fotmob, Chelsea would be handed a two-legged affair with Bayer Leverkusen or Club Brugge, with the second leg taking place at Stamford Bridge.
If the Blues are able to navigate that, they could instantly be handed one of the toughest challenges in the competition.
As things stand, they would face either PSG or Newcastle in the Round of 16, potentially setting up a rematch from the Club World Cup final.
Chelsea were dominant victors on that occasion, however it can be expected the holders of the Champions League will have something to say this time around.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo vs PSG's Ousmane Dembele
Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Huge task left in Champions League group stages for Chelsea
Despite being just one point off the top eight places, Chelsea have a series of tough games before the group stages are over.
They will host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge next, the game which could see Cole Palmer make his first start after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After that, two consecutive trips to Italy await, with away games against Antonio Conte’s Napoli and Atalanta posing tricky tests.
The Blues will finish the campaign hosting Pafos, however will likely need to win at least three of these games if they have any ambition of skipping the play-offs in this season’s competition.