Three talking points as Barcelona travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have an important European challenge ahead as they travel to London to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Three points are important for Hansi Flick’s team, having already dropped five points in four games so far.

The ultimate aim of all teams in the League Phase is to secure a top-eight finish. This would give them the luxury of skipping the play-offs entirely and progressing to the Round of 16 directly. Two fewer games in this congested calendar is what everyone wants.

Barcelona’s opponents, Chelsea, have returned to the Champions League after a few seasons in the wilderness. Enzo Maresca’s team has a clear identity, is well-drilled, and their fast-paced football can be difficult to handle.

With all this in mind, here are the major talking points for FC Barcelona ahead of their Champions League encounter against Chelsea.

1: Spending frenzy vs La Masia supremacy

Tonight marks not just an encounter between two very good football teams but also two clubs that have taken very different approaches to squad building in recent seasons. You could hardly have two more distinct ideologies meeting on a football pitch.

Since the takeover by the Todd Boehly consortium in 2022, Chelsea have spent more than any other team on the planet, and it is not even close. They have turned the transfer market into a kind of joke and bent FFP rules to their will.

Of course, none of this is illegal, and the Blues have merely exploited loopholes. Barcelona, on the other hand, have put their trust in La Masia. The academy has delivered in a big way with talents like Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, and many others.

Both teams are keen to lift the Champions League again and, on Tuesday, they have a chance to evaluate where their projects stand. Let us see whether money trumps the academy, or if it is the other way round.

2: All eyes on Lamine Yamal

Lamine missed Barcelona’s trip to St James’ Park earlier this season. On a night when England were treated to a midfield spectacle by Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, there is no doubt Lamine would have felt left out.

Thus, the Stamford Bridge trip gives the teenager his moment. Having looked closer to his best in recent weeks, the big occasion should bring out the best in Lamine, especially up against Marc Cucurella.

The left back has done plenty of talking ahead of the game, and Lamine will be keen to get one over his national team-mate. A performance in England would help everyone take notice of just how good the Spaniard is, if it is not already evident.

Although highly unlikely, the teenager also has a chance to equal Kylian Mbappe’s record of reaching 10 Champions League goals before turning 19, provided he scores a hat-trick in London. Let us wait and see how Lamine fares on Tuesday.

3: Frenkie de Jong has some heavy lifting to do for Barcelona

It is a shame that Pedri was not able to recover in time for the game against Chelsea, but that means Frenkie de Jong has some heavy lifting to do against the Blues. The Dutchman has been playing at a supreme level in recent weeks.

Frenkie got some much-deserved rest through a suspension against Athletic Club and should be refreshed and raring to go against Chelsea. Against Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Barcelona need their captain at his very best.

The identity of his midfield partner is still up in the air, with Marc Casado and Eric Garcia the options. Regardless of who gets the nod, the onus falls on Frenkie in terms of ball progression and conducting the midfield.

If Frenkie has a great game against Chelsea, it increases the odds of Barcelona securing the three points. It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can replicate his display at St James’ Park with another midfield classic.