Chelsea have drawn Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League for the round of 16 games.
The Blues will face Dortmund for the first time in their history, and they will need to be wary of the threat posed by the Germans.
After starting their European campaign with a loss to Dinamo Zagreb and a draw with RB Salzburg, Chelsea bounced back with four consecutive wins to top their group.
As for BVB, two wins and three draws were enough to seal second in Group G. The 1996/97 Champions League winners will believe they can outmanoeuvre Chelsea.
Despite a decent start to the Graham Potter era, Chelsea have not won any of their last four Premier League games. They have lost back-to-back games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.
Dortmund are currently on a four-game winning streak in the Bundesliga. Edin Terzic’s boys have fired themselves up to fourth. They are only three points away from Bayern Munich at the top.
Three Dortmund Players Chelsea Must Be Wary Of
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham is one of Chelsea’s top targets this summer as they rebuild their midfield. Chelsea should know a lot about him.
He is Dortmund’s engine in midfield, giving the team drive and energy from the middle.
In the absence of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, Bellingham has taken up the captain’s armband at only 19 years old. He is a leader in the Dortmund squad.
Bellingham is also in terrific form in the Champions League this season, with four goals and one assist in five appearances. The former Birmingham City midfielder has nine goals and two assists in 20 appearances for Dortmund.
With Chelsea’s porous midfield a cause for concern, Bellingham could show Chelsea why they need his athleticism through the middle.
Youssoufa Moukoko
The teenage striker is getting more opportunities in the absence of Sebastien Haller and the poor form of Anthony Modeste. He is grabbing his chance with both hands.
Moukoko has netted six goals and three assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season. Last weekend, he produced two incredible finishes to help Dortmund beat VFL Bochum 3-0.
The stocky forward can cause Chelsea problems with his raw pace and ruthless finishing. Despite being left-footed, Moukoko can finish effectively with his right.
He turns 18 in two weeks and is one of the most talented strikers of the coming generation. Chelsea will need to be wary of his threat.
Karim Adeyemi
The German striker is acclimatising to new surroundings and a new position on the pitch. Adeyemi has struggled to get going.
He has not yet scored his debut Bundesliga goal and has no assists despite creating three big chances.
Edin Terzic has used him predominantly as a right winger that cuts inside. While he is farther away from the goal, Adeyemi has the pace and dribbling ability to perform the role. A little patience is required.
He will torch Chelsea down their left-hand side if they are not careful. Adeyemi has a decent Champions League record with six goals and two assists in 18 appearances.
He could add to that tally against Chelsea if they don’t defend against him properly.
