Chelsea are clear favourites to win the Conference League, but could face a potentially tricky tie in the last 16 as the draw is made today.
The Blues made it six wins from six - the only team to boast a 100 per cent record in the league phase - with a goal difference of +21 as Enzo Maresca’s side made easy work of the third-tier European competition.
The revamped tournament means Chelsea, along with the remainder of the top eight, skipped the play-off round and have already secured their spot in the last-16 stage.
Chelsea now know they will face one of four teams for a place in the quarter-finals.
Who will Chelsea face in Conference League last 16?
Having finished top of the league stage, Chelsea watched on as the play-off draw back in December mapped out four possible opponents for next month’s last-16 stage.
Chelsea’s four possible opponents were Gent, Copenhagen, Real Betis and Heidenheim, and that was whittled down to two teams following the second legs of their play-off ties on Thursday.
Betis made easy work of Gent in the first leg of their play-off clash, winning 3-0 as Manchester United loanee Antony opened the scoring, and a narrow defeat on home soil a week later was still enough for them to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
In the other tie, Copenhagen needed extra-time as they edged past Heidenheim. The German side had the advantage after a first-leg win on the road, but Copenhagen battled back and won it 4-3 on aggregate after an extra 30 minutes.
Chelsea will see whether they will face Real Betis or Copenhagen next during the last-16 draw on Friday, February 21.
The first leg of those ties will be played on March 6, with the return fixtures a week later.
