Skip over video

It’s still September, and there’s already talk of this year’s Premier League being a two-horse race between Man United and Man City. What does that mean for the yesterday’s men at Chelsea? The Life’s a Pitch team believe that Abramovich may have already passed Andre Villas-Boas a map of Europe with some very demanding pins in it. Next stop: Valencia.

“I think it will be the hardest game that Chelsea will have in the group stages,” says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph, “I think they’ll happily go there and try to get a draw. Their new style of play has been much more attacking, and much more adventurous, so it’ll be interesting to see if they change it and try to be more defensive again.”

It will be a very interesting night for the rising star at Chelsea, Juan Mata – until this season one of the great hopes at Valencia. His homecoming could prove to be the difference between to two teams, suggests Ian Ridley of the Daily Express. “Mata’s evolving into a key figure for Chelsea – the one that gives them that little bit of subtlety, the one that unlocks defences. More the little rapier than the broadsword that was Frank Lampard as an attacking force.”

Europe has so far eluded Abramovich, despite all of his spoils over the last few years. “The Premier League does look beyond them,” says Ian, “so Abramovich’s priority will be winning in Europe.”

But what of Valencia, the side that has already nullified the Barcelona threat this season? They’re a good young team, insists Duncan White of The Sunday Telegraph. “Valencia have got a hell of a lot of attacking talent, they’ve got very good team organisation – Unai Emery has been there for about three years now, which is quite a long shelf life in Spanish football. And in Roberto Soldado they’ve got a top number nine.”

Related articles: 

Video: “Everything about Torres looked a lot sharper”

News: Villas-Boas backs Blues to last

Follow Life’s a Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesapitch

Watch Chelsea Live on BT Vision:
Bolton v Chelsea, live 1pm, 2 October, Sky Sports 1
Chelsea v Everton, 4.45pm, 15 October, ESPN

Not got BT Vision? Find out how to get it

More live football fixtures on BT Vision