Blues told it’s gonna get wild
CHELSEA could be in for a shock on and off the pitch against PAOK Salonika.
The Blues have been warned to brace themselves for a “crazy, wild” atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium that is capable of intimidating even the most experienced players.
And, after beating Champions League regulars Basel and Spartak Moscow in Europe, PAOK are eyeing another big scalp as they face Chelsea in their Europa League opener on Thursday.
Ex-arsenal striker Chuba Akpom, who joined PAOK this summer, said: “I don’t think I have seen an atmosphere like this in my football career and I’ve been to a lot of stadiums.
“It is crazy. When I first watched a match it was like, ‘Wow, these are some passionate fans’.
“It is so loud. They have one section of hardcore fans, but it’s the whole stadium making noise.
“The atmosphere is wild, especially on a European night. It could affect any team, even a big team.
“We beat Basel and Spartak Moscow in the qualifiers, two teams that play in that competition nearly every season.
“It shows we have the quality and can compete against the big teams, so it won’t be easy for Chelsea.”
Akpom, 22, left Arsenal after 16 years for PAOK – Greek runners-up last season and back-to-back cup winners.
The former England Under-21 frontman said: “I had a year left at Arsenal, but just thought it would probably be the best thing for me to go somewhere else and play some regular football.
“I had hoped we could get Arsenal in the draw, but when I heard we had got Chelsea, I was happy.”