The 2019/20 season presented Chelsea with the opportunity to show the world of football their ambitions. It was manager Frank Lampard’s first attempt on the European front, but, honestly, not much was expected from the rookie manager and his young team. Coming only a year after the previously-installed sanctions had been lifted, any new signing would mean Chelsea needed a little time to gel.
Rookies Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James, Christian Pulisic, and co, were pooled in the same group as the ultimate champions Bayern Munich. The first leg was a home tie for the prodigies, but again, nothing much was expected. Expecting the boys to pick a point off the German heavyweights, let alone beat them was a big ask. The Bavarians visited London and beat the home side 3 goals to nil – just what many punters with Betway sports betting had predicted.
The 2020/21 Season
After a busy transfer window that saw major signings join Lampard, hopes are high. Chelsea fans will be forgiven for not believing too much, yet. But one of Chelsea’s new boys thinks otherwise.
Former RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner moved to the Bridge only this season, and is optimistic this could be their year. Chelsea has 7 points from their opening three fixtures, the latest being a 3-0 win at home against French minnows Rennes.
“Every team, not only us, that plays Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday – it’s difficult.” Werner said.
“But we have a big squad of good players. We have so many players and so many good players and I think with this we have to have the goal to come very far in this competition. We are not here to say ‘we will get in the next round and we will see’ we are here to win the Champions League in the next years.”
Frank Lampard already boasts a lot of experience in his ranks. He has ramped up his defence with the experience of Brazilian and former PSG stalwart Thiago Silva. Silva was a losing finalist in the August final in the hands of Bayern Munich, but his experience and his backline command should be massive for the Blues.
If Christian Pulisic can pull through his injuries, Lampard has someone to take him forward. The young American struggled with injuries towards the end of last season, but he showed what he’s made of in his limited appearances. Bet on the remaining fixtures with Betway, plus other sporting events taking place around the world.
Former Bayer Leverkusen forward Khai Havertz is slowly finding his feet in English soil, and so is Hakim Ziyech who swapped Ajax Amsterdam for the Stamford Bridge outfit. There are glimpses of promise already for the two new signings. But it could be too early to expect too much for the young boys.
So far, Chelsea is in a good place. They lead Group E, which consists of Sevilla from Spain, Krasnodar from Russia, and Rennes from France. They have a tricky tie away to Sevilla, who held them to a goalless draw at the Bridge.
As it stands, Lampard will be expected to steer the Blues through the next round, but that is where the real challenge begins. Getting to the semifinals of this year’s Champions League would be massive for Chelsea. It is a good bet to make with Betway – the earlier, the better.
