Napoli vs Chelsea: Last-Group Clash Sparks Nostalgia and Title Dreams
28 January 2026
A fiery showdown tonight in the final round of the Champions League group stage sees Chelsea visit Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
The southern Italian side, beset by injuries, sit 25th in the group with 8 points while Chelsea are eighth with 13, hoping to secure direct qualification and avoid the playoff.
Napoli need a win to clinch a playoff spot; the task won’t be easy against a Blues side chasing a direct route to the knockout rounds.
Liam Rosinior has named Chelsea's lineup as follows:
Goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez.
Defense: Gusto - Fofana - Reece James - Cucurella.
Midfield: André Santos - Caicedo - Enzo.
Attack: Estevao - Neto - Joao Pedro.
Chelsea's bench includes Cole Palmer and several backups.
Palmer's Dilemma: Homesickness at Chelsea
British press reports Palmer misses his hometown of Manchester and is seriously considering a return to Manchester United in the summer window.
Palmer moved from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2023 and quickly became a key player for the Blues.
Yet reports suggest he hasn't settled fully in London and sees returning to Manchester as a chance to reconnect with the city and the club he loved from childhood.
The news come as United's summer plans to strengthen the squad are speculated, with Palmer touted as a veteran option in midfield.
Rosinior reportedly excluded Palmer from the Crystal Palace game, fueling rumors of an ongoing rift.
Two light-hearted punchlines to close: If this match were a dating app, Napoli would swipe right on the direct route to the knockout stage, Chelsea swipe left on the playoffs.
And if tactics were coffee, this briefing could double as a barista's manual—brewed strong, but still served with a dash of drama on the bench.
