Paris Saint-Germain coach, Laurent Blanc has boasted that Chelsea football club are familiar foes and are easy to prepare for, adding that their UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash should be a 50-50 encounter.
Laurent Blanc
Both teams have met in the UCL in each of the past two seasons and will clash in the round of 16 of this season following their pairing on Monday December 14.
“Chelsea were clearly the favourites the last two times we played, but I think it is 50-50 this season. The preparation will be easy as we know this team well, but there is plenty of time until February.”
According to the coach, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the main threat as the Swedish striker is back to is very best.
“Do not forget that players can go through difficult periods,” he added. “It happens to all players and also Ibrahimovic.
“This is a player who is technically gifted, but every player needs a physical base to work from. Ibrahimovic never lost his instinct for goals, but perhaps he was struggling because his physical level was not high,” he raved.
PSG are strong contenders for both Ligue 1 and the Champions League but Blanc believes they have to take it one step at a time.
“Looking at the calendar, I don’t know how we will do. With both domestic cups in France it becomes unplayable,” he said. “We are not immune to injuries and suspensions, and as soon as you have three or four players missing it becomes impossible to play all the competitions.
“We will try but we are giving priority to the Championship and the Champions League. It’s easier to win the Coupe de la Ligue than the Coupe de France, as that is poorly positioned relative to the Champions League,” he concluded.
However, despite Chelsea’s abysmal season to date and the injury to key player Eden Hazard, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he will not be looking to spend money in the January transfer window.
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