How should Chelsea line up against Valencia in must-win Champions League match?

Chelsea have little time to dwell on Saturday’s loss to Manchester City, but hopefully we have enough time to learn a few lessons. The Blues came close to matching City’s quality of play, but after conceding the equalizer, there only ever looked to be one winer.

Such growing pains are to be expected from young teams, but while we may have room to make such errors in the Premier League, in the Champions League, we don’t really have that luxury — thanks in part to losing to Valencia at the start of our European campaign. Now there’s a three-way tie at the top fo Group H, and only two get to advance to the knockout rounds.

Technically, Chelsea do not need a win in order to do so, but to assure our ambitions and keep the good vibes going, we just might.

Fortunately, the club’s injury situation is about as good as it’s been all season, with only Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Antonio Rüdiger set to miss out. The latter two should be getting close as we head into the winter. As far as what Barkley’s actual situation may be, it’s anyone’s guess. Maybe Lampard will shed some light on it today in his pre-match press conference.

Choose wisely.

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