Chelsea have the edge in clash of moneybags
ON TUESDAY night I’ll be back with TV3 on Champions League duty when it returns for the knockout stages.
And what a game to mark its return. Paris St Germain versus Chelsea.
Both teams are stronger than last season when they met, and Chelsea sneaked through on away goals thanks to Demba Ba’s late goal at Stamford Bridge.
In PSG’s case they have benefitted from playing in a stronger domestic league too and facing a real challenge to their French title from Lyon.
But with the millions invested in an excellent squad you would expect PSG to come strong and take the title again.
They do have a hell of a squad, obviously starting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who does relish the big occasion. Then there is Edinson Cavani, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi.
With players like that, so expensively assembled, it is only right they should be competing for the Champions League, but I think Jose Mourinho’s boys will have too much for them.
I was at Stamford Bridge in midweek to see them grind out a good win over Everton. It wasn’t pretty, but Jose just found a way to win.
We can expect them to sit deep in the Parc des Princes and catch PSG on the break, which is highly likely with the lightning pace of Willian, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and the rapid new signing Juan Cuadrado.
And after three games out, and no doubt still feeling the personal injustice of his suspension, Diego Costa will want to prove a point. And if he is up for it, you have to fear the worst for David Luiz against his former club.
I get the feeling it is more likely to be John Terry, not Luiz who will be lifting the Champions League trophy in Berlin in June.