This season, Chelsea entered the Champions League in its current Swiss model format for the first time. The league phase was introduced ahead of the 24/25 season, a campaign in which the club competed in the UEFA Conference League. 

However, Chelsea were able to secure a top-8 spot on the first attempt, and thus avoided a two-legged play-off tie, allowing more rest for players and more time on the grass for Liam Rosenior to get his ideas across.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Blues would face either Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain, after they overcame Qarabag and AS Monaco, respectively, in their play-off ties.

Then, this morning, the draw for the round of 16 took place. We can now confirm that Rosenior's side will face PSG in the round of 16, with the second leg, crucially, to take place at Stamford Bridge. 

So, we get a rematch of the 2025 Club World Cup final, which Chelsea won 3-0 after an absolutely devastating first-half performance, with masterclasses from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.

The dates for the games will be: 1st legs on the 10th or 11th of March, and second legs on the 17th and 18th of March, not long before the international break. 

Furthermore, the routes to the final have been mapped out. So, if Chelsea do progress, they will face the winner of the tie between Galatasaray and Liverpool in the quarter-final. If they advance from there, they would play one of; Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the semi final. 

It's a shame how it's all drawn out. The element of suspense and surprise is what makes draws fun. Not knowing who you will be playing until two or three weeks before, the excitement of predicting who you will be facing. 

As a result of finishing 5th in the league phase, Chelsea will have second leg home advantage against Manchester City, Real Madrid, Galatasaray or Atalanta. They would not have that advantage against Liverpool or Bayern Munich. 

Finally, one last thing to mention: with Arsenal and Spurs both having second legs at home in the last 16, there is a possibility that one side may have to surrender that advantage due to policing trouble. One of the teams may have to play the second leg away from home as a result.

Stay tuned for more updates on that. 

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