Chelsea handed easy draw as they pull out Ajax, Valencia and Lille in their Champions League group and avoid Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund
- Chelsea have drawn Ajax, Valencia and Lille in their Champions League group
- The Blues were not able to sign any new players in the summer transfer window
- Frank Lampard’s side have only won one of their four matches so far this season
Frank Lampard was handed a relatively easy Champions League group as Chelsea were drawn against Ajax, Valencia and Lille in Group H.
The Blues were not able to sign one anyone new in the summer as they are currently under a transfer ban.
Lampard’s side have only won one of their four matches so far this season.
Frank Lampard was handed a relatively easy Champions League group for his Chelsea side
Chelsea’s Champions League group stage verdict
To put it simply, it could have been a lot worse. Considering Chelsea could have drawn the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, Lampard will be quietly pleased.
Miles Chelsea will have to travel: 1693
Group H Opponents
Ajax
It was hard not feel sorry for Ajax when Tottenham’s incredible comeback denied them a place in last season’s final. Erik ten Hag’s talented crop of youngsters beat Real Madrid and Juventus en-route to the semi-finals and Ajax have since lost two of the key men from that famous run. Matthijs de Light left for Juve, while Frenkie De Jong was sold to Barcelona, though they have reinvested in their squad with the signings of Quincy Promes, Edson Alvarez and Razvan Marin.
Star man
Donny van de Beek
With De Jong gone, De Beek will shoulder the creative burden in Ajax’s midfield.
European pedigree
Ajax are four time winners of the European Cup but haven’t conquered Europe since 1995.
Danger rating
Ajax should reach the knockout stages but will struggle to repeat last season’s efforts.
With De Jong gone, Donny van de Beek will shoulder the creative burden in Ajax’s midfield
VALENCIA
Valencia swapped keepers with Barcelona this summer as Neto moved to the Catalan giants for £23million and Jasper Cillessen move to the Mestailla for £32m.
Star man
Kevin Gameiro
Usually prolific in the Europa League and has already opened his account this season in Valencia’s opening game against Real Sociedad.
European pedigree
The La Liga side finished runners-up in back-to-back seasons between 1999 and 2001.
Danger rating
Europe’s top sides will be hoping they don’t draw Valencia from pot three but they will need a favourable group to make the last 16.
Lille
The Ligue 1 side Renato Sanches for £18m from Bayern Munich. Can he rediscover his Benfica form?
Star man
Thiago Maia
He is the defensive midfielder that holds everything together and where all Lille’s attacks start.
European pedigree
The Ligue 1 side reached the last-16 in the 2006-07 season.
Danger rating
They sold their best player in Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal, they are going to struggle without him.
Thiago Maia is the defensive midfielder that holds everything together for Lille
Where will Chelsea finish in group H?
Valencia and Ajax will not be any pushovers and considering Chelsea’s indifferent start, they might still struggle.
Nevertheless, if the Blues can build on their performance against Norwich they will fancy themselves to qualify out of the group.
Prediction: 2nd