Chelsea will not go as far as Liverpool or Man Utd in Champions League - Stan Collymore
CHELSEA lack the star players which Liverpool and Manchester United have in order to progress further in the Champions League, according to Stan Collymore.
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Chelsea, Liverpool and United all make their return to the Champions League this week against Qarabag, Basel and Sevilla respectively.
English clubs have struggled in Europe’s elite club competition in recent years with only two making the final in the past eight seasons.
Chelsea were the English side to triumph back in 2012 and Eden Hazard insists this year’s squad are capable of going all the way.
But former Anfield star Collymore believes Chelsea will not even be the best performing English side.
I just don’t see that little bit of stardust in their squad that I see in United's and Liverpool’s
Stan Collymore
“Eden Hazard says his Chelsea have the squad and the manager to win the Champions League— but I disagree,” Collymore wrote in his column for the Mirror.
“I don’t even think they’ll go as far as Manchester United or, by a fag paper, Liverpool in this season's competition.
“That might sound a bit barmy, given the fact Liverpool have dipped in and out of the top four in recent years and haven’t had too much Champions League action of late.
“But, having played for them in Europe, I know how they approach these matches and how their pedigree on the continent means they can relax into the competition.
“There’s an expectation, but it’s kind of a nice expectation because it’s seen as your tournament.
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Eden Hazard believes Chelsea are capable of winning the Champions League
GETTY
But Stan Colllymore believes Chelsea lack 'a bit of stardust' like Liverpool or Manchester United
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“Chelsea fans will say, ‘Well, we’ve won the Champions League and the Europa League in recent seasons’.
“But I just don’t see that little bit of stardust in their squad that I see in United's and Liverpool’s.”
He added: “Whereas United have unknown quantities such as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, have Paul Pogba, who will really take to the Champions League stage, and even Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come back.
“Then I look at Liverpool, and I see Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho when his head is back on straight and even Mo Salah.”
