Champions League draw 2017: Chelsea's worst and best possible group opponents

Evan Bartlett
Updated
Antonio Conte reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Juventus: AFP/Getty Images
Antonio Conte reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Juventus: AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea return to the Champions League after a year in which they made the most of their absence from the competition by romping home to the Premier League title.

Whether Antonio Conte and his thin squad can compete on both European and domestic fronts this season remains to be seen - but the Italian manager will be hoping for a relatively easy start to the competition.

Chelsea will discover the three teams they are due to face in the Champions League group stage in the draw which takes place in Monaco at 5pm BST on Thursday afternoon.

Each of the 32 teams will be divided into four pots and then drawn into eight different groups – comprising of one team from each pot.

We already know the composition of Pot 1 – with current holders Real Madrid being grouped alongside the champions of the other top seven leagues in Europe based on Uefa’s coefficient rankings.

In England’s case, that means Premier League champions Chelsea are in Pot 1, while Manchester United and Manchester City are placed in Pot 2. Tottenham are in Pot 3 alongside Liverpool while Celtic will be in Pot 4.

Here are Chelsea’s worst case scenarios:

  • Chelsea

  • Barcelona

  • Napoli

  • RB Leipzig

Because Chelsea are in Pot 1 they will avoid the likes of current holders Real Madrid and last season's runners-up Juventus.

  • Chelsea

  • PSG

  • Roma

  • Feyenoord

However, they will draw a team from the dangerous Pot 2 which includes the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG and Borussia Dortmund.

  • Chelsea

  • Atletico Madrid

  • Besiktas

  • Sporting

RB Leipzig are the toughest looking opponents in Pot 4, although Chelsea could also face Dutch champions Feyenoord or Portuguese side Sporting.

Here are Chelsea’s best case scenarios:

  • Chelsea

  • Porto

  • FC Basel

  • Apoel Nicosia

The weakest looking team Chelsea could draw from Pot 2 appears to be Porto.

  • Chelsea

  • Sevilla

  • Anderlecht

  • Maribor

Sevilla, who are expected to qualify on Tuesday night, appear to be the next easiest opponents although are notoriouly difficult to beat in Europe.

Conte's side will be looking at sides like FC Basel and Anderlecht from Pot 3 and Apoel Nicosia, Maribor and Qarabag as among the easier draws from Pot 4.