Chelsea football club of England have really been impressive since the reign of Thomas Tuchel considering their level of delivery and top notch performance coupled with their scoring prowess, since the German tactician took charge the helm of affairs at the Stamford Bridge late January.

Chelsea in the last season qualified for two major finals in just his 100+ days in office losing the Emirates FA Cup to Leicester City at the Wembley Stadium and winning the Champions League, at the Porto’s all-English mouthwatering UCL final against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team.

Chelsea as such in the current campaign been proving from all indications that there last season success was not a fluke having picked up their piece from where they left off across all competitions.

The Blues as called by many currently sit top of the English premier league and are also the leader in the Group H of the UEFA champions league, which showed their level of determination as they keep their pursuit going in the current campaign.

The Thomas Tuchel’s side are already in the round of 16 of the Champions League in their title-defence campaign and are most likely to finish top of the table after their last game to be played against Zenit St. Petersburg, which could then see them to be seeded against runners-up from another group like Paris Saint Germain, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Villarreal, Sporting CP, RB Salzburg, FC Porto among others.

From all potential opponents Chelsea could face in the round of 16 depending on the result in the final match day of the group stage, here are three teams they should pray to avoid in the draw for them to progress beyond the last 16:

Paris Saint Germain

The French Ligue 1 giant could be a tough opposition for the Blues and could end their campaign should they be paired together in the round of 16.

The Mauricio Pochettino’s side are one of the favourite contenders for the most coveted trophy considering the calibre of players and star-studded squad paraded in the team having the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar Da Silva Junior, Achraf Hakimi, Angel Di Maria, Gianluigi Donnarumma among others.

Also Paris Saint Germain could also take the avenue as opportunity for them to take revenge from the English premier league side having been beaten by an EPL side (Manchester City) in the penultimate game of the group stage.

Barcelona

The Xavi Hernandez’ side despite their struggle in the current season could pose to be a threat to the reigning Champions of Europe as the team are on the verge to get their campaign back on track.

Barcelona could from there picked up by founding their missing piece most especially if they should get a win away from home to in-form Bayern Munich team at the Allianz Arena in their last game of the group stage.

This could be a booster for them in the two legged ties against the Blues and could as a result ends Chelsea’s campaign by not progressing further to the last 8 (Quarter Finals) or beyond.

Villarreal

The Unai Emery’s side are also a strong side in the competition so far this season and could be drawn with Chelsea in the round of 16.

The Yellow submarines could be a tough opposition for the Blues to beat as they could see the tie as an opportunity to also take revenge from their last defeat to the club.

Recall that the two met sometimes around August in the final of the UEFA Super Cup where Chelsea emerged the winner after penalty shoot-outs to claim the trophy.

With the level of delivery of the team in the game, it could be seen clearly what the Spanish La Liga Santander giant are capable of doing having had a relatively good record against English oppositions.

The last season UEFA Europa League Champions could end Chelsea’s campaign as they will also be trying to avoid been beaten again by an EPL side after their worst encounter against Manchester United in the group stage.

Chelsea will now await for who their potential opponent would be when the draws are made and will be hoping to keep their winning going with the optimism to retain the crown at the the end of season.

Will Chelsea be able to make it beyond the round of 16 should they be drawn against any of these three teams?