Champions League Group E Preview: Crafty Sevilla to upstage big spenders Chelsea
Group E is made up of Premier League big spenders Chelsea, last season's Europa League champions Sevilla, French surprise package Rennes and Russian minnows FK Krasnodar.
After spending more than £200m on new players this summer, Chelsea are favourites to top Group E but Sevillla could spring a surprise on Frank Lampard's side.
Sevilla knocked out Wolves and Manchester United on their way to winning the Europa League last season and certainly have the players to take advantage of Chelsea's current defensive woes.
We have picked out the key men to keep an eye on in Group E and predicted where we expect each team to finish.
CHELSEA
Key Player- Thiago Silva
As Chelsea spent big in the summer, a key man to help improve their Champions League aspirations is free signing Thiago Silva. The Brazilian played a vital role in PSG's progression to last season's final and will be important for a Chelsea side that conceded the third most goals (9) of those to secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition in 2019/20.
One To Watch - Kai Havertz
Another of Chelsea's summer arrivals, Kai Havertz was the big money capture, joining from Bayer Leverkusen. The German has taken a little longer than will have hoped to settle into his new surroundings, with his goal at the weekend his first in the Premier League since joining, but Frank Lampard looks to be settling on a system that brings out the best in the 21-year-old.
Group Prediction - 2nd
Chelsea's trip to Sevilla in December is their toughest test and could prove significant as they look to top their group. Rennes and Krasnodar are not to be underestimated, either, but Chelsea have the quality to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
SEVILLA
Key Player - Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic completed his return to Sevilla over the summer, six years after leaving for Barcelona. The Croat has made a solid start upon his move back to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Rakitic no stranger to chancing his luck from midfield having mustered seven shots from his four league games so far, scoring once. Julen Lopetegui will be banking on his Champions League experience to aid Sevilla over the coming weeks.
One To Watch - Jules Kounde
Linked with a move to Manchester City in the transfer window, Jules Kounde will be looking to following up a fine debut campaign in Spain with another standout season. The Frenchman misses the meeting with Chelsea to kick off Sevilla's Champions League excursions this week having recently tested positive for COVID-19, but the Frenchman is tipped to enjoy a fine season once back.
Group Prediction - 1st
Sevilla get arguably their toughest test out of the way first as they travel to Chelsea this week. While their Champions League history is chequered to say the least, progressing to the knockout stages just five times, their European pedigree on the whole is strong following Europa League success last season.
RENNES
Key Player - Eduardo Camavinga
That Eduardo Camavinga is already one of Rennes' key players at the age of just 17 speaks volumes of his quality at such a young age. The teenager has made more tackles (124) than any other player in Ligue 1 since the start of the 2019/20 season and despite his tender years, there is already ample pressure on the France international to transfer his league form to the Champions League.
One To Watch - Jeremy Doku
A deadline day capture from Anderlecht as a replacement for Raphinha, Jeremy Doku has a legion of admirers from Belgium and his two goals and four assists from seven Jupiler Pro League appearances this season prompted Rennes to spend €26m on the 18-year-old. Already a full Belgium international, the Champions League presents Doku with the ideal stage to showcase his immense potential.
Group Prediction: 3rd
Rennes are one of the more exciting relative unknowns to keep tabs on in the group stages of the Champions League. The Ligue 1 side have made a solid start to their league campaign, but the lack of European experience means they may have to settle for a Europa League spot.
FC KRASNODAR
Key Player - Remy Cabella
Remy Cabella played a huge role in FC Krasnodar's 4-2 aggregate qualification win over PAOK, scoring the winning goal in each of the Russian outfit's 2-1 victories. The Frenchman missed most of the 2019/20 season owing to a cruciate ligament rupture suffered last August, but he's made a solid start to the campaign, adding four league goals to his two in the Champions League so far.
One To Watch: Matvey Safonov
At 21 years of age, Matvey Safonov is already FC Krasnodar's number one, which is some feat. The youngster really forced his way into the first team last season and he hasn't relinquished his spot, starting all 10 league matches for the Russian side. FC Krasnodar have conceded the fifth fewest league goals (10) this season with Safonov set to announce himself to the watching world in Europe's elite club competition.
Group Prediction: 4th
FC Krasnodar have made a stuttering start to their league season and have won just three of their last seven league matches. 2020/21 is the first time they have made it beyond the qualifying stages of the Champions League and it could prove to be a short stay in European competition.
