Breaking Down Chelsea's Champions League Opponents Paris Saint-Germain

There was a sense of inevitability when Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were drawn together during Monday’s UEFA Champions League draw.

However, although only 12 months will have passed since the French side advanced on away goals in the last tie between the two sides, much has changed with both clubs.

"

#UCLdraw 2013—PSG v Chelsea 2014—PSG v Chelsea 2015—PSG v Chelsea #groundhogday https://t.co/IBAQgbYca7 https://t.co/xpveUinvLT

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 14, 2015"

PSG look better and stronger than they did last season. Their dominance, combined with the inconsistency of the other 19 Ligue 1 clubs, has helped them build a 17-point lead at the top of the league.

PSG didn’t start their league campaign well last season, but they remain unbeaten after 18 games and have only conceded nine goals this year.

The two Champions League group-stage games against Real Madrid showed a team that still has much to do if they want to be classed as one of Europe’s elite. Despite the defeat in Spain, though, the performance at the Santiago Bernabeu will have given Laurent Blanc plenty to be positive about.

Let’s break down where the French champions' strengths are, and perhaps more interestingly from a Chelsea perspective, where their weaknesses lie. Anything can change in two months, especially with the transfer window just around the corner, but consistency is key for the Parisians.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Blanc’s favoured formation is still his trusted 4-3-3, and when everyone is fit and healthy, the midfield trio of Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti is still his first choice.

There are times when Motta has shown his age and the limitations of his game, but then he’ll put in a commanding performance and help you remember what the 33-year-old is still capable of.

To balance this out, the continuing progress of Verratti has been one of the most eye-catching features of this PSG team.

"

Marco Verratti with insane skill #PSG (via @philousports) pic.twitter.com/10cACE8TT8

— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 13, 2015"

No longer the apprentice, Verratti is slowly become the leader and linchpin of Blanc’s side. No one in the midfield sees more of the ball than the diminutive Italian. His use of the ball has improved, and there has definitely been an improvement in his decision-making. The 23-year-old is as tenacious as ever, but he has picked up fewer yellow cards.

Over 28 games last season, Verratti was awarded 11 cautions. This campaign he has only been awarded one in 11. Now that he has recovered from injury, he has two months to get back up to 100 percent before taking on Chelsea.

When Verratti had to come off injured against Real Madrid, young French midfielder Adrien Rabiot stepped into his position. Although his potential has never been questioned, many were waiting for the France under-21 international to step up—that night in Madrid, the PSG youth product made his presence known.

An excellent display at the Bernabeu saw many confirm that Rabiot had finally come of age in the PSG midfield. Subsequent performances have backed that up, and now Blanc will have little hesitation in throwing the 20-year-old into the starting XI.

"

@FrenchFtWeekly I've actually been largely impressed with Rabiot' performances during Verratti' time out. PSG fans will know best tho.......

— Rich Allen (@rich_allen85) December 13, 2015"

Behind the midfield three, PSG’s defence has also improved since the last meeting. After spending one season in the capital on loan, right-back Serge Aurier has stepped out of his shell and become a key part of Blanc’s back four.

The Ivorian adds strength to the defence, still provides the attacking threat that Gregory van der Wiel offered, while he is also an aerial asset at both ends of the pitch. The 22-year-old can still be reckless in defence at times. He has a tendency to lunge into tackles, often picking up avoidable yellow cards.

Elsewhere, with the likes of Marquinhos and Layvin Kurzawa able to step in off the bench, Blanc has seven defenders all able to take part in the back four without drastically reducing the quality.

In the attack, the addition of Angel Di Maria has worked perfectly this season. Despite his bright start at Manchester United, his lack of productivity in the latter part of the season created doubts that he could be the player PSG craved.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

The Argentinian forward looks far more settled in the French capital, and he has slipped seamlessly into the attack—improving their ability to create from anywhere in the final third. His nine league assists and four goals have seen him become integral to PSG.

Di Maria can drop deep and pick a pass over the top, or the 27-year-old can advance down each wing, using his magical left foot to devastating effect.

With the new signing playing on the right, it has left Edinson Cavani to continue his role on the left—despite his 10 goals this season, he is still the weakest part of the attack. Too often, as he showed against Real Madrid, when it comes to the biggest games, the Uruguay international doesn't have the clinical edge to make his chances count.

No one can ever question his effort and contribution to the team’s work rate, but that’s not what you pay €64 million (£46.5 million) to gain.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

This summer, PSG made the decision to sign Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt, and rather than make him earn his spot as the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Blanc instantly promoted him ahead of Salvatore Sirigu and made him first choice.

At first, the decision looked vindicated as the goalkeeper debuted with a number of impressive performances. Yet now, halfway through the season, Trapp’s mistakes have raised a few eyebrows.

Two errors in the 2-2 draw with Bordeaux was the first sign that maybe the young German wasn’t the upgrade they had hoped for.

More blunders followed, against Real and most recently Lyon, and they have cast a larger shadow on Trapp's ability.

"

Over 1500 votes in #PSG keeper poll so far. #Sirigu sitting on 60% at the moment, #Trapp on 40%. Lots want Areola back for next season, tho.

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) December 13, 2015"

It has got to the stage where a routine catch by Trapp on Sunday was met by ironic cheers by his own fans. Sirigu’s future seems to lie away from the capital, but there are now calls for loanee Alphonse Areola to be returned to the club as their No. 1

Italian goalkeeper Sirigu had never let PSG down ever since he joined from Palermo in 2011. Even last season, the 28-year-old recorded 12 clean sheets in 34 games.

Trapp could go on to develop into a world-class goalkeeper, but dismissing Sirigu for the 25-year-old German could end up costing PSG as the Champions League goes into the knockout phase.

Overall, PSG are a stronger side than the one that beat Chelsea on away goals last season. Options off the bench like Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura make them deep and versatile. The starting XI is strong in all areas, with perhaps the goalkeeping position the most questionable.

Despite that, the back four is very impressive and can help protect whoever is between the posts come February.

"

NEW #FFWPOD @ChelseaFC, This is not the draw you were looking for. / https://t.co/k4LpuTP8uv #PSG #OL #ASM pic.twitter.com/Z8z6pR0FSa

— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) December 16, 2015"

Chelsea went into the last game as future Premier League champions and favourites to progress. They were let down by poor performances both home and away.

Now, with their opponents in a much stronger position, the London club will need to be at their best to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals of this year’s competition.