Champions League last-16 draw awaits Chelsea as Liam Rosenior's pathway becomes clear

Chelsea's UEFA Champions League pathway has become a bit clearer now with all playoff ties now completed

Chelsea will face one of Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United in the last 16 of the Champions League with both play-off ties now completed.

PSG clung on to secure a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco, who were down to 10 men for a long stretch but managed to battle back to 2-2 on the night, while Newcastle thrashed Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate over two legs to progress into the knockout rounds. Chelsea, meanwhile, managed to avoid having two extra games with their victory over Napoli last month ensuring a sixth-place finish.

The Blues know Newcastle very well and have already played the Magpies this season - coming back from two goals down to earn a point at St. James' Park in December. PSG will be keen for revenge on Chelsea after the Blues were crowned world champions with a convincing 3-0 win over the reigning Champions League winners back in July in the Club World Cup final.

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Liam Rosenior will be hoping to lead Chelsea to success in the Champions League for the third time in the club's rich history. Rosenior has had his first taste of the competition with wins over Pafos and Napoli recently but the real test will begin in the knockout rounds as the Chelsea head coach continues to live his "dream" on Europe's biggest stage.

Speaking last month, Rosenior said: "I think your dream, whether you're a player or a coach or a manager, is to be at the very top of the game. The Champions League is a signal of that. It's not about me. It's not about me or my ambitions."

Both times Chelsea have lifted the Champions League were after a mid-season management change. Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca as Chelsea head coach in January, said: "Hopefully, third time lucky, you're not lucky to win a Champions League.

"I've said to the players, if we focus on each game, not think too far ahead, perform as well as we possibly can. I never limit the ambitions of my group, no matter what group I am working with. But those games and those trophies do not exist if you don't do the job now."

Prior to this season, Chelsea's last appearance in Europe's elite competition came back in 2022/23. Back then, Graham Potter was in charge at Stamford Bridge and the Blues crashed out at the quarter-final stage, losing 4-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

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