It comes as great news for the Premier League fans (well, not sure about the Arsenal and Chelsea faithful though) as the most elite of all European football competitions, the UEFA Champions League, returns to action in 10 days from now. It brings along the opportunity to see some of the best players in the business lock horns against each other.
The Champions League enters the round of 16 stage, which is the start of the business end of the competition. None of the teams will be leaving an inch for their opponents and one can expect a number of hard-fought affairs at this stage of the competition.
Among a number of stars, a few will be able to achieve the glory of reaching the quarter-final stage. Here we will look at 3 Premier League stars who will play a key role in their side’s efforts to reach the next stage.
#3 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City vs Schalke 04)
The Argentine ace has once again proved his mettle for the reigning Premier League champions this season and has notched up 11 goals thus far in the league along with a couple in Europe. He would be a prime threat against the German side Schalke and will have to play a significant role in leading the line for the Citizens.
Pep Guardiola is known for rotating his strikers and has previously chosen Gabriel Jesus ahead of the Aguero in Europe but City’s best team has to have Sergio, and we expect him to play a part in both legs against the Bundesliga outfit.
#2 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United vs Paris Saint Germain)
It will be a stern challenge to overcome for Manchester United’s interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when his side face PSG and he will need the young English striker to come out firing on all cylinders against the Ligue 1 giants.
The player has been in sublime touch in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see whether he can carry his form into the Champions League as well.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool vs Bayern Munich)
The Egyptian star has been in prolific form of late and will be one of the prime weapons for the Reds in their renewed bid for the Champions League. Liverpool are set to face a stern challenge in the round of 16 as they will come up against one of the strongest sides in Europe in the form of Bayern Munich.
Klopp is well accustomed to them, and he will be eager to win this tie. And coming to Salah, the Egyptian’s unfortunate and controversial injury in the final last year will be an added motivation (not that he would need any) for the player to give it his all in the competition.