Chelsea made their route to the Champions League final a little easier with a brilliant 3-2 win away at Napoli in their final group stage match.
The result, Liam Rosenior’s fifth win in six games since taking over, saw them finish sixth in the groups, and avoid having to play a play-off before the Round of 16.
The club have also banked £60m in the competition so far, with big money still to play for in the knockout stages.
Chelsea will face one of PSG, Newcastle, Qarabag or Monaco in the next round, leaving a very real prospect of an all-English affair in the Champions League’s early knockout stages.
SSC Napoli v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
When Chelsea could play English clubs in the Champions League
But when could Chelsea play the rest of the Premier League sides, after their dominant outings in the competition so far? The Chelsea Chronicle explains…
Newcastle
Earliest possible meeting: Round of 16
The draw on Friday will see Chelsea find out the two teams they could play in the Round of 16, with one of those being Newcastle.
St James’ Park is no doubt going to be electric for a huge knockout game in the Champions League, providing a real test for Rosenior’s inexperienced squad.
If the draw does not make this game a possibility, the earliest stage they can face Newcastle would be if both teams made the final.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Tottenham
Earliest possible meeting: Quarter-Final
Despite their wavering Premier League form, Tottenham ended up finishing fourth in the Champions League after they were handed a fortunate run of fixtures in the competition.
Chelsea could write a new European chapter against their London rivals in the quarter-finals, should the draw put the two sides on the same half of the knockout stages.
If it does not, the Blues will be well aware that another English side will be on a path to meet them at this stage.
Liverpool
Earliest possible meeting: Quarter-final
If Spurs are on the other side of the draw, Liverpool can meet Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
It would rely on both sides winning their Round of 16 tie, but would set up an iconic clash which already lives long in the memories of Chelsea supporters.
The two sides met plenty of times during the 2000s, with many pointing to the 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge as the most high-profile meeting.
Manchester City
Earliest possible meeting: Semi-final
Chelsea’s record in the Champions League against Manchester City makes for pretty simple reading. One meeting, one victory. In the 2021 final no less.
While another meeting as the final two cannot be ruled out yet, the earliest stage the Blues can meet Pep Guardiola’s side this season is in the semi-finals.
Chelsea can take confidence from their performance at the Etihad this season against City without having a regular first team manager in charge.
Arsenal
Earliest possible meeting: Semi-final
The side everyone wanted to avoid in the early knockout rounds of the Champions League. Arsenal finished with a perfect record in the group stages.
Chelsea cannot meet the Premier League leaders until the semi-final, if not the final of the competition.
Two Blues managers have had a go at beating Arsenal so far this season, and while both times they impressed they were ultimately defeated.
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