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CHELSEA FACE JUVENTUS

The current European champions Chelsea will be facing the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and the newcomers Nordsjaelland in the group stages of the Champions League this season. The draw for the group stages was recently conducted in Monaco and Chelsea have not been handed the best of groups this time around. Due to the fact that they will be facing the likes of the Italian champions and the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, the Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has said that it certainly not going to be easy way into the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo managed to get the team to the final of the competition last season, while also Chelsea became the surprise winners following the 4-3 penalties victory over Bayern Munich. In doing so, Roberto di Matteo brought the only trophy that has been missing from the trophy cabinet. The manager has said that it is going to be extremely difficult to win the Champions League for the second consecutive season because no team has managed, but they will try nonetheless. He has said that matches against Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk will be the ones to watch in this group stage.

“It’s not an easy group, it’s going to be tough. Juventus I know very well, champions of Italy. They play some high tempo football, some good football, and have some good players. Shakhtar because of the connection with our club doctor Paco Biosca, who spent seven years there, we know a lot as well. Nordsjaelland are probably the weakest team in the group, but I think we will have to be at our best from the first game with juventus at home,” said the Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo, who is preparing for the UEFA Super cup match against Athletico Madrid.

HAZARD NEEDS TIME

Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has said that it will take some time before the new £ 32 million acquisition for the club Eden Hazard will be able to deliver his full potential. The 21 year old Belgian international joined the club in the summe, even though he was hotly rumoured to be heading to Manchester (according to the <a href=”http://www.ilovemancity.com”>Man City news</a> website).

He is expected to the attacking football to the club due to his style of play, which was something that was lacking from the team in the last few seasons. After the departure of the players like Arjen Robben, Chelsea have really lacked the player like Eden Hazard, who can trouble and get past players.

However, the 21-year-old has been disappointing in the last few pre-season friendly matches for Chelsea after opening his account in style in the first pre-season match against Seattle Sounders. The Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has said that the fans should not expect a lot from Hazard in the first few matches of the season because it will take a little time to gel with the rest of the team. Roberto di Matteo has also said that he is still finding the best position for the £ 32 million signing, who is reportedly on £ 150,000 per week wages.

“Of course we are looking for Eden to be incisive – but we have to be patient. He is a young man, he has come from a different league in France and we need to give him time to adapt. There will not be radical changes. We will try to make some changes. With the integration of these new players, inevitably we will change how we play a bit,” said Robert had a Matteo after the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton on Saturday. This was the third consecutive defeat of the pre-season friendly matches for the club, which is very worrying indeed.

OSCAR WILL DECIDE ON FUTURE

Internacional midfielder Oscar has revealed that he will be making a decision on his future only after the conclusion of the London Olympics 2012. It has been reported in the last few days that Chelsea have agreed a £ 25 million bid for the playmaker, who is regarded as the next big thing to come out of Brazil. The playmaker is currently in the UK as part of the London Olympics team from Brazil. It was also exclusively revealed by skysports that he was taking a medical at Chelsea with a view towards completing his much anticipated move to the Premier league club.

However, the 20-year-old has confirmed that he has not signed any deal with the club, but has undergone a medical. He has also said that he will be making a decision now his future only after the completion of the London Olympics 2012, as it is his only focus right now. Despite being only 20 years of age, Oscar is known to produce excellent and matured performances for the national team. The deal to bring him to Stamford Bridge is one of the biggest in recent history according to the club’s president. The club are also linked with a number of other Brazilian players like Neymar, Lucas, and Hulk.

“I only had a meeting with the doctor, nothing else. I didn’t sign any contract yet and I will wait until the end of the Olympic games to decide my future. All Brazilian players have this dream. I have, like everybody, the dream to play in Europe and the Premier League. It’s like a dream for me, participating in the Olympics, it’s so important for my career and I hope to win the gold medal here,” said Oscar after the initial 2-0 win over the Team GB at Middlesbrough’s Riverside stadium.