Champions League

WHEN you look at Juventus against Chelsea on paper, you really don’t think there to be too much between these two historic clubs.Juventus have a great history and are considered a giant of Italian football, but Chelsea really did show the large gap between the two sides.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James celebrate for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
Of course, Juventus did beat Chelsea 1-0 at their ground just some weeks back, but that certainly did not paint the full picture.
Chelsea went to Italy and played them off the park with 77 per cent possession, showing their quality.
They did exactly that again tonight at Stamford Bridge, making Juventus look like an average side.
Granted the visitors had already qualified for the next round of the Champions League.
However, topping the group can be the difference of facing Bayern Munich in the next round or not, for example.
Juventus will surely want to avoid that.
The way Chelsea are playing though, they wouldn’t be too concerned about who they face, they will believe they can beat absolutely anyone right now – that is how well they are playing.
It certainly wasn’t like watching two sides who are considered to be close to each other in terms of quality and stature.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Chelsea are miles ahead of Juventus right now and both the home and away legs proved that.
Juventus never looked dangerous and Chelsea bossed the game, even with N’Golo Kante going off injured and Romelu Lukaku not being on the pitch.
They did ask a couple of questions of Chelsea, but the Blues just used that as an excuse to be devastating on the counter-attack and be a threat that way, as well as bossing possession.
It wasn’t like a match watching two European giants play narrowly compete, it was more like watching boys against men.
That is total credit to Thomas Tuchel and how he has got this team of quality players playing and feeling.
They really feel like they can beat anyone on their day.
Chelsea play with confidence and a great mentality, and Tuchel is the one who has instilled this make no mistake.

Tuchel breaks silence on Rudiger’s contract stand-off after starring in Leicester win More

CHELSEA smashed their way past Juventus to leapfrog the Italians to top their Champions League group. Goals from academy stars Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi as well as Timo Werner saw the Blues hammer Juve and jump to top.
Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Christian Pulisic celebrate against JuventusCredit: Getty
It was equally pleasant viewing at the back for Thomas Tuchel in his 50th game in charge, keeping yet another clean sheet.
Here’s how Simon Phillips rated the European champions.
Edouard Mendy – 8
He was fairly quiet in the first half but did get lobbed by Alvaro Morata and had to be saved by Thiago Silva.
He did have to make one very good save late on to keep his clean sheet.
Edouard Mendy kept yet another clean sheet for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
Scored Chelsea’s opening goal and celebrated like a man that has just scored on his first start in the Champions League.
Another mature and composed performance from the rising young star.
Trevoh Chalobah scored on his Champions League debutCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

Thiago Silva – 9
His goal line clearance was absolutely superb.
A 37-year-old had no right to get to that, but this emphasises just how good this man is and he is getting better with age if anything.
Thiago Silva goal line clearance was absolutely superbCredit: Getty
Antonio Rudiger – 8
He was his usual self, a menace in the box and great at carrying the ball forward and joining the attack.
Another assured performance from the man who could end up a free agent in the summer.
Antonio Rudiger put in another great performanceCredit: AP
Reece James – 9
Once again, we are running out of plaudits for this guy,.
He is easily one of the best young players in world football right now and he was very unlucky not to score twice in the first half if not for two great saves.
He did score in the second half with an emphatic finish.
Reece James hammered home a beautyCredit: Getty
Jorginho – 8
Dictating play and never giving the ball away, just another night for Jorginho playing football.
He was always available for the pass and was Chelsea’s route out every time.
Jorginho dictated play and never giving it away,Credit: Reuters
N’Golo Kante – 7
Unfortunately, he went off injured midway through the first half but he was having a good game until then.
N’Golo Kante was forced off injuredCredit: Rex
Ben Chilwell – 8
Should have scored early on from six yards out, but it was another quality performance from a guy in top form.
He was good at the back as well when he did need to make some good recovery runs and tackles.
Unfortunately, he got what looked like quite a bad knee injury.
Ben Chilwell also came off injuredCredit: Rex
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 9
A real lively menace and got Cuadrado booked early on with a good run.
He perhaps should have scored as well in the first half but he was really Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker once again.
He made no mistake with his chance in the second half to put Chelsea 3-0 up.
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrated his goalCredit: Getty
Christian Pulisic – 6
He was relatively quiet to be honest in the first half and his first touch seemed to dessert him on occasions.
But he was asked to play in a slightly unfamiliar position and he tried to be effective.
Christian Pulisic played through the middleCredit: AFP
Hakim Ziyech – 8
His hit and miss season continues.
One minute he was doing something excellent like taking the ball with a great turn and winning a free-kick, the next minute Tuchel was shouting at him for not finding Hudson-Odoi with a pass that would have left him one on one with the keeper.
Much improved performance from him tonight though.
Hakim Ziyech was much improved performanceCredit: AFP
SUBS
Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Kante (36 mins) – 8
He took a while to settle in to it when he first came on. but he soon got in the swing of it and set up Hudson-Odoi to score the third.
Cesar Azpilicueta for Chilwell (70 mins) – 7
Slotted in at left wing back and helped Chelsea see the game out.
Timo Werner for Pulisic (70 mins) – 7
His pace was an instant threat and scored right at the death to make it four.
Saul Niguez for Hudson-Odoi (75 mins) – N/A
Mason Mount for Jorginho (75 mins) – N/A
Tuchel breaks silence on Rudiger’s contract stand-off after starring in Leicester win More

TREVOH CHALOBAH scored on both his Premier League and Champions League debut after volleying home against Juventus. The defender was a shock start against Crystal Palace in August but fired in a stunner from outside the box.
Trevoh Chalobah celebrates his goal against JuventusCredit: Getty

With his family proudly watching on in the stands, Chalobah appeared to break down in tears as he celebrated.
And he cut an equally emotional look after his first-half volley put Chelsea 1-0 up against Juventus.
The goal opened the foodgates for the defending European champions who went on to win 4-0.
Chalobah’s excellent performance helped Chelsea climb above Juventus to top the group and keep yet another clean sheet.
The centre-half was also handed the man of the match award and opened up about the memorable moment.
He told BT Sport: “It meant a lot, as I said, when I was a young kid I used to watch Champions League.

“So now being involved and getting a goal, it’s been very emotional.
“For me, it’s about consistency, keep playing well, the manager’s brought me in, it starts in training as well.”
He was joined in celebration by defensive partner Antonio Rudiger, 28, who has helped mentor the young academy star.
Chalobah, 22, said: “He’s been a massive part Rudiger, he’s always helping me every day, the same as Thiago as well.
“Everyone around the club really, for a young player to play for a club like this, consistency is needed and that’s what I’ve tried to add to my game.”
Chelsea icon John Terry reveals eye-opening advice from Dean Smith after laying into player who had secret family issues More