Chelsea face Barcelona in the round of sixteen first leg of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Former England midfielder Frank Lampard says N'Golo Kante will be the key player for Chelsea in the game and the Frenchman is the only one that can stop Lionel Messi from wreaking havoc.

''Whoever is nearest to him has to take the responsibility to take that space because the minute you let him get his head up and run freely at you, you won’t get near him. I can say that from experience,'' Lampard told Evening Standard.

‘There will be periods when you just have to back off. The problem is that being at home, there will be people wanting to see Chelsea have a bit of a go at them.''

Lampard added : ''But their players are that good, you have to back off to deny them the space where they can really hurt you.

''It is a fine line for Chelsea. They need to sit back but at the same time put pressure on him so he doesn’t become relaxed on the ball.

''This is where I think N’Golo Kante will be key. He is the one in Chelsea’s midfield with the abilities you need because he is so quick into the tackle.

''But it is important all 11 press their opponents, starting with those players at the top of the pitch.''

Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea in eight previous matches with the Premier League champions.

Igho Kingsley

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