Classy Chelsea have the look of European champs

As a Blackburn fan living in London, I have no 'southern ' favourites and try not to get caught up in all the rivalry down in the Big Smoke. As long as Manchester Utd and Burnley never win anything then I am willing to give any other British team a chance - even Tottenham Hotspur. 

My rival teams are all in the north and I have lots of friends who support Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and even Millwall! So many London clubs to choose from makes it always a good topic of conversation down the pub on a Saturday afternoon.

With four potential chances of winning the Champions League still this year, this also brings up the debate as to who does the neutral fan want to win the prestigious European event? Which team deserves it the most?

Liverpool have had a so-so season so far. They have drawn too many league matches to be in title contention, though they are destined to finish in fourth place to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They have had success in the tournament already in recent years and with Fernando Torres and Steve Gerrard in the team playing well they could even go all the way this season, which would surely make up for losing out in the Premier League.

Liverpool seem to play well in Europe and like the big stage. They started slowly this season in the competition but with three wins in a row they eased through their group and then emphatically defeated Inter Milan 3-0 on aggregate to reach the quarters against Arsenal. This tie is the best of the quarter-finals and I wish Liverpool well.

Arsenal, bitterly fighting for Premier League glory, could be forgiven for being a little distracted. The new team put together by Arsene Wenger is gelling nicely, but over recent weeks the pressure has told a little and Arsenal have not got the results they would have wanted.

They are an exciting prospect for English football and Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott are exciting youngsters ready for Europe’s centre stage. As long as they stay focused throughout the next two months they could take home some precious silverware from this year’s campaign. Runners-up two years ago, they know how to play in Europe and again I wish them well.

Manchester United are a good team, there’s no doubt about that. However, as a Rovers fan I simply cannot support my northern rivals. They come across as arrogant at times and although Cristiano Ronaldo is world class, he’s still not that popular outside of Manchester and Lisbon. 

Of course, if United where the only English club to reach the Champions League final then I would hope they could bring England success, but apart from that I fail to get excited when watching them play.  They have a tough quarter-final against Roma, a team they have thrashed in recent years in the same competition.  Wayne Rooney and Co sure have a good chance of success but I do NOT want them to win.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are another class team and definitely my choice for victory in Europe. I like their style of play and I think the team have done well without Jose Mourinho at the helm. Avram Grant has taken over and with the exception of a few stutters in form the London team have remained challengers for the Champions League and still a slim hope of the Premier league.

Frank Lampard has led by example, scoring and setting up many goals and the strength in depth of the team gives them good variety in their play. I think the Chelsea boys have a great chance of finally taking some European glory back to Stamford Bridge this year. They are a likeable team and I for one WANT to see them victorious -  beating United in the final would be even sweeter.

If none on the English teams can win the big event this season then I would choose Schalke or Fenerbahce for honours. I like to watch underdogs win and, as you all saw in the FA Cup quarter-finals, upsets do happen and on more than one occasion.

So who knows? Let’s just hope that England dominates. And a special word for Rangers, who are still flying the flag of St Andrew in the UEFA Cup.