Chelsea’s underwhelming Champions League campaign so far has put all of the pressure on themselves as the group stages come to an end.
The Blues host Pafos at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, with club legend David Luiz returning to West London.
The Chelsea Chronicle are predicting Liam Rosenior will risk rotation, despite the fact that the Cypriot side have overachieved in the competition so far.
Which changes would YOU make to face Pafos? 🖋️
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
A victory is expected though, and this will leave the Blues with one match to try and secure their place in the top eight, which will be crucial to their season.
Chelsea players celebrating goal against Barcelona
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea’s Champions League match against Napoli is their biggest game of the season
This will allow the Blues a path straight into the Round of 16, avoiding two more games to play in the already-bloated season.
Chelsea face Napoli on January 28, with familiar face Antonio Conte awaiting Rosenior in the dugout in Italy.
The Serie A side have endured a nightmare Champions League campaign so far, and are actually at risk of being dumped out of the competition if they don’t beat the Blues.
The Opta Supercomputer has predicted Chelsea will miss out on the top eight, however two victories in their next two games will give them a decent chance of reaching this goal.
Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli reacts
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Chelsea vs Napoli is massive for Liam Rosenior
Rosenior is off to a strong start to life as Chelsea manager, and the win against Brentford in the Premier League should not be understated.
What have you made of Liam Rosenior’s tactics so far?
Jamie Carragher quote on Liam Rosenior's tactics
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, he is clearly needing to deliver a result that will completely get the fanbase on board, and picking up the pieces of what Enzo Maresca has left in the Champions League is a great starting point.
It would also add a significant name in European football to his list of scalps, even if they are struggling this season.
Conte is a manager who delivered two massive trophies in just two years to Stamford Bridge, and getting one over him would make a statement that he is ready to lead the Blues now, and the job did not come too soon.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox