We can do Chelsea - Chalme
by Laurent Picard, 28 August 2008
Chelsea will face Bordeaux in the Champions League’s group stages, and Les Girondins defender Mathieu Chalme has exclusively told setantasports.com that his team are good enough to create an upset.
Group A is also composed of Italian giants Roma and Romanian underdogs Cluj.
Highly-rated right back Chalme understands the draw could have been easier for his team, but he is excited by the prospect of facing two big European sides.
The Frenchman is aware of The Blues’ menace, but he prefers looking at the positives of facing last year’s finalists.
The full back has refused to name Chelsea’s best player in his opinion, as he thinks Luiz Felipe Scolari manages the best players in the continent.
“Honestly, I believe this group is doable for us,” Chalme told setantasports.com.
“Chelsea and Roma are massive clubs, but to me it’s better to face big ones and give your best during prestigious encounters, rather than playing smaller ones and have regrets.
“At Chelsea the danger comes from everywhere, you have to be focused on all their players, and as a defender I expect a tough but exciting game.
“I can’t name a player above another one because they have stars playing at every position.
“I have already had the chance to play against Manchester United and Milan (as a Lille player) and this group will give us the chance to test ourselves against huge players.
“The qualification will normally be played between Chelsea, Roma and us, and to finish third would be a minimum for us.”