Chelsea Champions League draw: Blues to face Ajax, Valencia and Lille in 2019 group stage
The Blues have never faced the Dutch giants, who were the revelation of last season’s competition
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea will play Ajax in Group H of this season's Champions League group stage.
The Blues are back in the competition after a year out and enter as Europa League winners.
Joining Frank Lampard's side and last year's semi-finalists are Valencia and Lille in what appears to be a wide open group.
Fixtures (8pm KO unless stated)
September 17: Valencia (h)
October 2: Lille (a)
October 23: Ajax (a) - 17: 55
November 5: Ajax (h)
November 27: Valencia (a) - 17:55
December 10: Lille (h)
Frank Lampard's side will hope the minimal travel will work in their favour in their top four battle.
Galatasaray go into Group A alongside PSG, Real Madrid and Club Brugge.
And that's the draw completed!
GROUP DRAW IN FULL:
Group A: PSG, Real Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray
Group B: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Olympiakos, Red Star Belgrade
Group C: Manchester City, Shakhtar, Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta
Group D: Juventus, Atletico, Bayer Leverkusen, Lokomotiv Moscow
Group E: Liverpool, Napoli, Salzburg, Genk
Group F: Barcelona, Dortmund, Inter, Slavia Prague
Group G: Zenit, Benfica, Lyon, RB Leipzig
Group H: Chelsea, Ajax, Valencia, Lille
Time for Uefa's women's player of the year award, with Luzy Bronze, Ada Hegerberg and Amandine Henry all shortlisted.
And the winner is... Lucy Bronze!
The England star is on international duty tonight for the Lionesses' friendly against Belgium, so can't pick up her award in person. Nonetheless, in a pre-recorded video she thanked her England and Lyon teammates, who she credited with her success on the pitch across the past year.
The right-back becomes the first English woman to win the award.
Now, time for the men's player of the year award. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk are all in the running.
To add, the Uefa awards for special contribution to the game were also handed out earlier this evening.
Burnley fan Scott Cunliffe was recognised for raising more than £55,000 for charity by running to his side's 19 Premier League away games last year.
And Borussia Dortmund, represented by CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, was also praised for the club's efforts to eradicate racism within the game.
And the winner of the men's player of the year is...Virgil van Dijk!
Virgil van Dijk on his award: "I need to think my teammates; without them I wouldn't have achieved what I've achieved over the past year.
"It's been a long road but it's been part of my journey.
"I had to work hard at every step along the way and I'm happy to have done that. I'm happy to receive this trophy - it's a credit to everyone I've worked alongside."
And that is that! Here's a reminder of this evening's award winners:
Men's player of the year: Virgil van Dijk
Women's player of the year:Lucy Bronze
Forward of the year: Lionel Messi
Midfielder of the year: Frenkie de Jong
Defender of the year: Virgil van Dijk
President's award: Eric Cantona
Uefa special contribution award: Scott Cunliffe and Borussia Dortmund
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