Chelsea vs PSG: Cup ties will make or break season as Gary Cahill relishes 'big chance'

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Simon Johnson9 March 2016

Gary Cahill admits this week is make or break in Chelsea’s season, but insists the players won’t cave under the pressure of Champions League and FA Cup challenges.

Chelsea take on French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie tomorrow night knowing they have to overturn a 2-1 deficit to go through.

Given they’re a lowly 10th in the Premier League, Chelsea look certain to have to win the competition this term to play in it for a 14th successive year next season.

The clash at Stamford Bridge comes just three days before they take on Everton in the FA Cup Quarter Final, which is their only other chance to win silverware.

Cahill said: “I think, certainly it's a big week for us. We said that over the first leg and the Manchester City game [their FA Cup Fifth Round match].

“It's a big week. Two huge games for the club. Everyone knows the league situation this season, and this is a big chance for us to achieve something at the end of the season, though we know it will be very, very difficult.

“Us players realise what is on the [PSG] game, it's dangerous to look even at the next game, the Everton game. You have to focus on the one game.

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

“We're not looking two or three games' time, or even next season. But we do realise this is an important game, a big game, and I think you should enjoy that.

“Top players enjoy playing in big games. Intense pressure brings out big performances in a lot of top players.

“We know what we have to do to win the game, playing at home, and we'll go out there and do that to the best of our abilities.”

Chelsea may have been given a helping hand in the build-up from the opposition after PSG’s official twitter account created a special video which labelled Blues’ striker Diego Costa fraud, while saying their defender Thiago Silva was a superhero.

Costa has scored 10 goals in his last 14 appearances for Chelsea and is set to lead the line after recovering from a minor tendon injury.

Cahill added: “I've not even seen that [video], to be honest. I'm sure there are plenty of games going round like that. Diego Costa against Thiago Silva is a key clash between two world-class players.

“Everyone knows Diego doesn't need any more motivation: he's motivated, he's a winner, another big player. That'll be another good clash tomorrow.”

Cahill will start at centre half next to Branislav Ivanovic for the sixth successive game after captain John Terry failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time.

With Terry not expected to be given a new deal to stay on at the end of the season, the 35-year-old is facing the prospect of having already played his last game in the competition.

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Cahill says it has given the squad even more motivation to progress. “We want all our top players fit, so it's unfortunate he's not with us, and it would be nice to go through this next round,” he said.

“Hopefully John will be fit again some time soon, but our focus is on tomorrow and how we can affect that game tomorrow.

“Ultimately we feel responsibility to go out and perform as best we can. We feel responsibility when we put on a Chelsea shirt and play at Stamford Bridge.

“We know the game will be very difficult, but we have that responsibility to go out and do the best we possibly can and achieve the most we can.

“We are all motivated and realise how important the game is, for the fans and the players and everyone involved. Without adding extra pressure to the game, it's one we should be looking forward to.”

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