UCL: Chelsea got the hardest draw among the 4 EPL teams

The draws for the Uefa champions league round 16 has finally been done, with all teams been paired against their opponents ahead of the knock out phase which is expected to start sometime in February next year.

The draw actually took place twice, due to some technical issues which occurred during the first draw that went down today, as such club’s like Atletico Madrid and Man United drew Uefa’s attention to the mistakes been made during the draws, and it was thus declared void.

For the English teams who are four in numbers, it will be mixed feelings for the likes of City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool following the results of the final draw.

I feel that defending champions Chelsea somewhat got the toughest opponent among the four premier league club’s, and i will thus be giving my reasons.

Chelsea vs Lille

On paper it may look as though Thomas Tuchel’s team got an easy pairing, but if we should take a closer look at the team they will face (Lille), i feel that it’s not going to be an easy fixture for the blues.

Chelsea are the only English club that will face a team that topped their group in the Ucl this season, with an impressive point tally to follow suit.

Lille of France topped group (G) which had the likes of Sevilla, Red Bull Salzburg and Wolfsburg with a total of 11 points after 6 games.That alone is a good reason as to why Chelsea got a tough fixture, because the other opponents of the remaining 3 Epl teams didn’t top their groups and also were far from impressive in the group stages. Let’s have a closer look at the three teams.

Atletico Madrid

The Spanish team haven’t been at their best in this season’s champions league, and even managed to finish second in group (B), with 7 points, 11 behind group leaders Liverpool and as such, Diego Simeone’s team will face Man United which is an easy draw for me.

Inter Milan

The Italian team will face premier league side Liverpool, and i also don’t see it as a difficult draw unlike Chelsea’s, judging by Inter Milan’s form the Ucl this season.They came second in group D with 10 points, 5 adrift of group leaders Real Madrid, and shouldn’t be an issue for Liverpool who won all their games in the group stages.

Sporting Lisbon

Lastly, Portuguese side Sporting will face Manchester City in the round of 16, in another easy fixture on paper.Sporting Lisbon finished second in group C with 9 points, making it 9 adrift of league leaders Ajax, and as such should be a comfortable fixture for Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

In conclusion i feel the Epl team with the hardest opponent in the round of 16 definitely has to be Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, as Lille are a stronger and better opponent than the likes of Sporting, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

Who got the easiest and toughest draw in the Uefa champions league among the 4 Epl teams?