Valencia vs. Chelsea: 5 Players to Watch Wednesday

Chelsea and Valencia face in their second Champions League group stage fixture this Wednesday. This match, which will be played at the Mestalla, should definitely live up to its high expectations.

Both teams have started their domestic campaigns reasonably well, though they have already suffered a loss. Los Che were finally defeated in La Liga at Sevilla over the weekend while Chelsea lost at Manchester United a week ago. 

Chelsea will be happy with their Saturday home win at the hands of Swansea City. Despite being down a player for most of the match after Fernando Torres' red card, the Blues dominated the contest.

Valencia won't be as delighted after their loss to Sevilla, with their opponents receiving two red cards in the second half (though Valencia also had a man sent off).

As the Valencia-Chelsea match is a day away, it's time to preview the match. Here's a list of five players to watch this Wednesday at the Mestalla.

Roberto Soldado

Roberto Soldado started the 2011-2012 La Liga season astonishingly with a hat-trick in Valencia's 4-3 opening day victory over Racing Santander. Since then, the 26-year-old has been quieter in the attack, with only two goals in his next five appearances in all competitions. 

There's no doubt that even when Soldado is somewhat off his game, most of Valencia's attacks revolve around the Spanish striker. Chelsea's center backs need to be on top form on Wednesday. 

Adil Rami

Adil Rami has started all five La Liga games for Valencia this season, the only Los Che player to do so. The 25-year-old joined the Spanish outfit in August from French Champions Lille and has made a quick impact.

The 6'3'' center back has been great for Valencia this season and will certainly give Chelsea's attacking players a hard time.

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres is showing signs of returning to his old self. However, he keeps making the headlines for negative plays.

His red card on Saturday came right after a nice goal from the Spaniard and Chelsea will now be without the striker for three league matches.

Chelsea will have him, though, for the Valencia game and he is expected to start. Torres' performance against Bayer Leverkusen was great, with two great assists, but now he needs to prove he can score on a regular basis. 

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard's season hasn't begun exactly like he would have wanted. The English midfielder started Chelsea's first four matches but played only partially in the next four games. In the Swansea City fixture, Lampard was an unused substitute. 

Many people have already started surmising that the 33-year-old is now surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

It's certainly too early to draw conclusions like this. Lampard will almost certainly start at Valencia but still has to prove he is capable of starting for the Blues.

Juan Mata

Juan Mata left Valencia for Stamford Bridge last month in a £23 million deal. I wonder what went through the Spaniard's mind when Chelsea were drawn with Los Che in the Champions League Group Stage—probably happiness as he would be hugely welcomed back at the Mestalla.

Mata has begun life in London superbly and has received much praise for his performances.

In Chelsea's first Champions League match this campaign against Bayer Leverkusen, Mata was at the center of Blue attacks and will aim to do the same on Wednesday.