Top 5 clubs to win the Champions League next season – Paul Merson finally reveals.. See where he places Chelsea
Two years ago, Chelsea won the Champions League after a Thomas Tuchel-led team turned their season around to become the European Champions.
Chelsea demonstrated last season that they have what it takes to compete in Europe as they advanccd to the quarterfinal round before losing to Real Madrid.
Paul Merson has stated that Chelsea is his third favorite to win the Champions League and that he thinks the Blues have what it takes to win the competition.
Paul Merson told Sportskeeda: “You have to be tight at the back to win the UEFA Champions League and Chelsea have been defensively tidy under Thomas Tuchel, while Reece James and Ben Chilwell – who I regard as the best pair of full-backs in world football – can make things happen on both ends of the pitch.
“As for their midfield, they have three solid options in Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, while Conor Gallagher could also be part of the first-team squad this season after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace.
“Sterling is a player I really admire – he makes things happen in attack. People slander him for the chances he misses, but he does really well to get into goalscoring positions and was a key player for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
“I’ve put Chelsea at #3, but they can easily be #1 or #2 if their new players settle in quickly.
“The only thing that worries me is that they haven’t got a bonafide goalscorer, but I don’t think that is much of an issue when it comes to cup competitions where they can keep it tight at the back and nick it with a goal at the other end.”