Champions League: One of these clubs could make a surprise run

3. Chelsea

Frank Lampard has made no bones about the fact that he wants to play an up-tempo style of soccer that piles up the goals, and he acquired three big-name players to help him do that in striker Timo Werner, creator Hakim Ziyech, and attacking midfielder Kai Havertz. Chelsea, fresh off a third-place finish in the Premier League, Lampard has an undermanned squad in the Round of 16 before running into the buzzsaw known as Bayern Munich. Things could be much different in 2020 considering the busy transfer window.

By the same token, however, Chelsea could also go out earlier than expected. Thiago Silva is not enough to improve their poor defense, and new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy might need some time to adjust to Lampard’s style of play. However, there is just too much attacking talent and too sharp a tactical mind on the touchline for Chelsea to exit early. If Werner, Ziyech, and Havertz all start to shine, Chelsea could go to the final. If they fail to live up to expectations, look for the Blues to be knocked out in the early stages of the competition.