Having edged past Wrexham, all eyes are now on PSG as Chelsea look to recreate their Club World Cup success against Luis Enrique’s reigning Champions League winners.
A Cole Palmer brace and a Joao Pedro goal saw Chelsea produce a huge upset to beat PSG last summer and hold the Club World Cup trophy aloft. On Wednesday, Liam Rosenior will be dreaming of similar.
Chelsea’s injury list going into the clash remains extensive. Jamie Gittens, Levi Colwill and Estevao are likely to remain absent when Chelsea go to Paris, but Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia played at Wrexham.
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Chelsea vs PSG record
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Reece James and Cole Palmer were rested, meaning they will be fresh for the trip across the Channel. For PSG, Luis Enrique could well be without two key midfielders, while there is news on Ousmane Dembele.
PSG injury list ahead of Champions League clash vs Chelsea
On Friday night, PSG were beaten at home by Monaco, a 3-1 defeat. It sees PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 shortened to just one point ahead of Lens, but there is good news for Enrique ahead of Chelsea.
Portugal Training Session and Press Conference
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Dembele came off the bench to play the best part of 30 minutes after missing the last three games. Up top, Goncalo Ramos continued his return from injury, but PSG were without three players for the clash.
Indeed, young attacker Quentin Ndjantou remains sidelined until the summer, while Fabian Ruiz has been missing since the middle of January. There is good news regarding Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves.
The young maestro has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but Le Parisien report that Neves is recovering well and a decision could be made after training on Monday. He is likely to be included.
Three key battles as Chelsea look to secure a first-leg result
What Rosenior will be hoping for on Wednesday night is a result that keeps Chelsea in the tie ahead of a return to Stamford Bridge. A draw would be a superb result; a narrow defeat is not the end of the world.
Chelsea have a real chance of beating PSG 👊
Ruiz is missing, Neves might be…
Frank Leboeuf identifies the midfield as a key battle, and with Neves likely to be on the bench and Ruiz missing, Chelsea can control the middle of the park. Especially, with a fresh and fit James raring to go.
If Dembele starts, keeping him and the likes of Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet is crucial. They face a Chelsea defence that has kept just three clean sheets in 15 under Rosenior.
But perhaps, the biggest decider of the tie will be allowing Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro to shine in the final third. If Chelsea can get those two free and able to do their thing, Chelsea have a real chance.
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