Champions League: Chelsea In Do Or Die Battle; Target £10m Ayew

Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations hang by a thread as they head into their final Group E match against Valencia tonight. Bayer Leverkusen have already qualified meaning the tie at Stamford Bridge is a winner takes all game.

Although a goalless draw would be enough to put the Londoners through if Leverkusen do not lose in Genk. Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, whose future at the club has come under speculation said: “A goal represents a lot for Valencia, it makes things even more difficult for us, but we just have to take the initiative of the game because that’s what we have been doing in the past so. We won’t change our strategy because we are playing such an important game. We do not play long ball or counter-attack; we want to play good quality possession football and that’s what we want tomorrow”

Coach Unai Emery of Valencia said: “We are going to go there with only victory in mind. We are aware that 1-1 or any sort of score draw will see us through, so depending on the situation we can change the way we play. We need to be able to stop Chelsea from creating chances.

The most important thing is that we are going out to try and stop their players, but of course, we want to go and do some damage ourselves and try to hurt Chelsea with our attacking players too. We will never stop looking for a goal, that’s for sure.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are stepping up their attempt to sign Andre Ayew, and hope to shrug off interest from Bayern Munich.

The 21-year-old Ghanian international has been a huge hit in the French league since his move from Ghana and has attracted interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs as well as clubs from Spain and Germany after a string of impressive performances this season for Marseille which has seen him score five goals.

Predominately a winger, Ayew has also been used as a striker by the French club and its thought that this versatility is interesting Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas as he looks to find a striker to aid his front-line after accepting a transfer request from Nicolas Anelka who looks set to leave in January.

A bid of around £10 million is thought to be enough to persuade Marseille to let go of their talented player and reports in France are suggesting that Chelsea remain in pole position to sign the player, but Arsenal are stepping up their interest.