Blues face fan revolt

Blues face fan revolt

Chelsea are expected to reap some rewards for their spending spree as they look to progress to the quarterfinals of the Champions League tonight, but there’s no guarantee that American money can buy success in European football.

By Mark Gleeson

Chelsea have set new spending standards this season with the American owners having taken over from Roman Ibrahimović, but while the Russian oligarch’s money bought success, Chelsea’s recent forays into the transfer market have not produced the goods.

Manager Graham Potter is under considerable fire and has had to learn to live with derision from the terraces and even the horror of death threats to him and his family - such is the discontent among Blues fans.

There was, however, some light at the end of the tunnel at the weekend as they managed to pip struggling Leeds United and there could be more relief for Potter tonight in the Champions League.

Chelsea are home to the Bundesliga frontrunners Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their last 16 tie, having lost 0-1 in Germany in the first leg last month. It was an unfortunate defeat in a match where Chelsea had more than their fair share of chances and got caught by a breakaway goal. The Blues are expected to turn around the tie after scoring their first goal in four games on Saturday.

Dortmund go into the second leg with an extra day’s rest, having beaten RB Leipzig on Friday. They are level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and on a 10-game winning streak.

Bayern are expected to wrap up their tie against Paris St Germain tomorrow, although they will be wary that the French champions have emerged from their slump and Kylian Mbappe set a new record at the weekend, becoming his club’s all-time top scorer with 201 goals.

PSG will need his magic, plus plenty of inspiration from Lionel Messi too, if they are to turn around the tie after losing at home in the first leg.

Tottenham Hotspur are also trailing 0-1 after the first leg of their tie in Milan but have home advantage tomorrow as they look to find some form.

Their manager Antonio Conte has been away, at his home in Italy, after gallbladder surgery but arrived back in London on Sunday amid expectation he will be leaving at the end of the season. His contract negotiations are showing no signs of progress and this hangs over Spurs, who have emerged triumphant in both their previous European ties with Milan.

Benfica are the banker in this week’s Champions League ties, expected to easily sweep past Club Brugge of Belgium and into the quarter-finals.