Chelsea’s worst-case Champions League draw as European giants out for revenge

Chelsea will discover their Champions League round of 16 opponents on Friday – and their worst-case scenario has been mapped out

Chelsea will learn their Champions League round of 16 opponents on Friday – and there is no straightforward path for Liam Rosenior’s team. Following an eventful week of knockout play-off drama, the final 16 clubs have now been confirmed.

The seeded Blues were able to sit this stage out – having finished sixth during the league phase – but the draw has left them with two possible matchups, neither of which are particularly inviting. Chelsea will face either a fiery all-English showdown with Newcastle or a headline-grabbing encounter against reigning champions PSG.

Newcastle booked their place in the last 16 with a dominant 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag, while PSG squeezed past Monaco 5-4 over two legs in a thrilling all-French battle.

Chelsea will be paired with one of those sides, while the other will meet Barcelona. Below, Mirror Football breaks down both potential contests and weighs up which opponent Chelsea would rather steer clear of.

MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

READ MORE: Champions League last-16 draw as Premier League clubs learn potential opponentsREAD MORE: Alejandro Garnacho’s concerning behaviour, bitter Man Utd exit and message to Bruno Fernandes

Option 1: PSG

The current European title holders narrowly avoided a shock exit in the play-offs. After a chaotic opening leg, Luis Enrique’s men were pushed to the limit by Monaco, even though they spent significant periods of both matches playing against 10 men.

They sit two points ahead of Lens at the Ligue 1 summit and are widely expected to secure a fifth consecutive domestic crown. However, their recent performances have been somewhat inconsistent. PSG closed out the Champions League group phase with two losses and two draws from five matches and they have also suffered domestic defeats to Rennes and local rivals Paris FC in recent weeks.

Even so, the squad is packed with elite-level quality. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue – who scored twice in the first leg against Monaco – and Bradley Barcola make up one of the most dangerous forward lines in the game. With Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes orchestrating play behind them, PSG possess the quality and firepower to punish any opponent.

There are, however, weaknesses at the back. They have shipped eight goals in their last four matches in all competitions and have managed just two clean sheets in Europe this term.

Chelsea will also draw confidence from their emphatic victory over PSG in the Club World Cup final last year. Few expected the Blues to prevail, yet they produced a superb display to claim a convincing 3-0 win and lift the trophy in style.

Option 2: Newcastle

Although Newcastle currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, they have looked transformed on the continental stage this season. They tore Qarabag apart in the play-offs, virtually settling the tie with a 6-1 first-leg rout before completing the job with a 3-2 success in the return fixture.

During the group phase, they registered victories over Benfica, PSV and Athletic Bilbao, and earned away draws against PSG and Bayer Leverkusen. That said, their domestic results have been disappointing recently. Eddie Howe’s side have been beaten in four of their last five league outings – and six of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Still, Newcastle won’t be pushovers. Chelsea are well aware of the intensity, physical battles and the electric environment at St James’ Park that will come with drawing the Magpies. While league consistency has deserted them, European nights appear to inspire them – particularly the likes of Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes.

Chelsea’s recent record against Newcastle since the PIF takeover is also concerning. The Blues have failed to win any of their last three meetings with the Toon and have claimed only three victories from their past nine encounters overall – with one of those successes requiring extra time.

On the other hand, Chelsea will believe they can find the net against Newcastle, who have conceded 17 goals in their last eight matches in all competitions. Notably, if the draw pairs the two sides together, they would meet three times within a week, as their upcoming Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge would fall between the two European legs.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Verdict

Ultimately, PSG would represent the more daunting prospect for Chelsea. Newcastle pose a threat, but Chelsea would likely enter that tie as favourites given their stronger league form and greater squad depth. It would also mark the Blues’ first European meeting with Premier League opposition since their victory over Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final.

PSG, by contrast, offer a different level of challenge. They are the defending champions, boast recent experience of lifting the trophy and have match-winners across the pitch capable of changing a contest instantly.

An away night at St James’ Park is never easy, but travelling to Paris to take on the holders is the scenario Chelsea will hope to avoid when the draw is made tomorrow.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.