Ouch! That was absolutely not the way that Chelsea FC wanted to start their UEFA Champions League campaign. Bayern beat them 3-1 as Harry Kane bagged a brace, one goal from the spot, the other from open play. Enzo Maresca has work to do, as Chelsea may be a very strong squad (they did win the FIFA Club World Cup after all, but they are not quite among the world’s elitist of the elite.
There is some space there, as last night showed.
Chelsea FC at Manchester United FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday Sept. 20, 5:30 BST, Old Trafford, London, UK
Man United Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Chelsea FC Previews: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Premier League Standing: Chelsea FC 5th, 8 pts Manchester United 14th, 4 pts
Google Result Probability: Man United win 35% Draw 26% Chelsea FC 39%
There is also some space, on the other side, between Chelsea and their opponent on Saturday, Manchester United. The Blues should not have any trouble getting a result here. Or at least on paper it certainly seems like that would be the case.
We’re sure Alejandro Garnacho will receive a warm welcome (LOLOLOLOL!) from the Old Trafford crowd upon his return here.
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction at Manchester United
Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella; Reece James, Moises Caicedo; Alejandro Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer; Joao Pedro
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter