Chelsea Vs Valencia: As Chelsea takes on Valencia, we shall look at the three players who could change the game on their own.
Chelsea will take on Valencia in the opening day of new Champions League season. The Blues are taking part in this competition after a year gap, when they clinched the Europa League in the meanwhile. Valencia, on the other hand, are plying their trade in Europe’s prestigious competition for the second consecutive season.
The Blues are on the back of a successful season under Maurizio Sarri. The English side lifted the Europa League and finished third in the Premier League, which would have automatically guaranteed Champions League spot too. Frank Lampard has imposed attacking method, but it was totally cancelled out in the other end. They have won just two games out of five games in the Premier League.
On the other hand, Valencia sacked their manager Marcelinho after just four games. They are with four points, which is surely a bad start for the season, but the board went overboard by sacking the gaffer who brought them Champions League football and their first trophy in 12 years. They have enough talent to disrupt their opposition, similar to Chelsea.
Chelsea head into this game as favourites, but their opponents have more than an ample team to cause problems.
We shall look at three players who could change the game on their own for this clash.
#3 Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Frank Lampard is expected to stick with the back four due to a shortage of centre-backs. The Chelsea boss will use the new boy Christian Pulisic through the left-wing to exploit Valencia’s backline.
The USA International has a breakneck pace and can cut in from outside to score wonder goals. He scored one against Liverpool in the Super Cup, but it was adjudged off-side. Pulisic is also more direct and can link up with his teammates to constantly make runs behind the opponent defence.
The 20-year-old has two assists, with one apiece in the Super Cup and Premier League this season. He’s yet to stamp the authority at Stamford Bridge but has the ability to cause disruption their backline. The former Borussia Dortmund forward will be hoping to break the duck in his sixth appearance for Chelsea.
#2 Dani Parejo (Valencia)
Dani Parejo is crucial to Valencia’s hopes of coming home with something. The Spaniard has an abundance of experience at the top-level – making himself the key player for the visitors on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old will be up against the Chelsea midfielder, which would not have N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman makes the team tick with his tireless running to wire his opponents out. The likes of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic are decent players, but Parejo is a level above them.
He can score goals, make tackles, and control the game when required. He’s got it all as a midfielder. Parejo was under the shadows under numerous Spanish midfielders for a few years, but he’s rightly gaining adulation for his work he puts on the pitch. Should he find his feet, Kevin Gamiero and Maximilian Gomez will have unceasing creativity from the midfield department.
#1 Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
Olivier Giroud is yet to break his duck in the Premier League this season, but has one against Liverpool in the Super Cup. The Frenchman had an exceptional game and ended up giving constant trouble to the defence headed by Virgil Van Dijk.
The former Arsenal forward was the highest scorer from last season’s Europa League campaigner. He lead the top of the pile with 11 goals, which wasn’t enough for him to win the Europa League Player of the year. That turned out to be a hilarious decision as the board handed over to Eden Hazard, who featured in just two games.
Frank Lampard has picked Tammy Abraham in the Premier League before. However, the English International picked up a knock against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Even though the injury isn’t serious enough, Lampard will keep him on the bench from injury recurrence. On the other hand, Olivier Giroud is an exceptional backup option and could cause trouble to Valencia’s backline.
