The new format for the Champions League draw could make things very tricky for Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City next season.
Chelsea are the only English team to be among the top seeds due to new rules for the 2015-16 campaign, which reward the champions from Europe’s top country coefficients and the holders of the trophy.
In this case, Barcelona fall into both categories and therefore Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven join the Catalan giants, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Zenit Saint Petersburg in pot one.
SEE ALSO:
Liverpool’s Fabio Borini marries Erin O’Neill – hot photos of stunning WAG
Ireland 0-0 England video highlights: Wayne Rooney blows golden chance in friendly flop
Man United agree HUGE triple signing, upsetting Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal
Should they progress to the group stages, United, and Arsenal, would be in the unfamiliar position of being in pot two, with City having already learned the dangers of this due to their previously low coefficient.
With clubs from the same country unable to play each other in the opening rounds, that would leave Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG, Benfica, Zenit and PSV as potential group-stage opponents.
But it might not be straightforward for Chelsea either. Ten-time winners Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Porto are among their possible foes for the round robin.
The draw takes place in Monaco on August 27 – a date that England’s finest may now be dreading.
COMMENTS