How Chelsea can beat Barcelona in the Champions League tie

#4 The Chelsea Midfield

The goal of Antonio Conte when he picks his midfield has to be the following.

First and foremost to cut-off passing lanes which Barcelona will be looking for while. Secondly to transition the ball from defence to offence.

Here are the three players Conte must pick.

Defensive Midfielder - N'Golo Kante

Chelsea will look to Kante to stop Iniesta and Rakitic

If there was ever a player who is the true heir of the legendary defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, it is N'Golo Kante. With an average of almost 7 tackles and interceptions per game in the last two and a half seasons for Leicester and Chelsea, Kante will be central in any Chelsea attempt to negate the creative influence of Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic.

Central Midfielder (left) - Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas will be facing his former club Barcelona on Tuesday

Cesc Fabregas is expected to start on Tuesday night and will be a key figure in Conte's plans. Chelsea will undoubtedly be playing with their backs against the wall with very little ball possession, hence the Spaniard will be required to transition the ball effectively from defence to offence.

Furthermore, Fabregas is the kind of player who with a single long ball or through ball can provide a clear chance for Chelsea's attackers to score.

Central Midfielder (right) - Willian

Willian was simply unstoppable last Friday

The central midfield role may not the natural position of Brazilian winger Willian. However, playing him there will not be a first for Chelsea. Willian's tireless energy and tenacity to win the ball back were used to devastating effect by Jose Mourinho in 2014 against Manchester City's Yaya Toure and David Silva. His stamina and speed will certainly help his midfield partners Kante and Luiz/Fabregas.

The genius in playing him in the central midfield position, however, will go beyond the defensive side of things. When Chelsea win the ball and attack they could quickly transform into a 3-4-3 with Willian bombing forward to help Chelsea's front two.

This tactical flexibility allowing Chelsea to change shape based on possession or lack thereof could give Chelsea the perfect balance between being defensively solid while being able to devastate in quick Counter-attacking moves.

Willian also is in red-hot form as evidenced by his impressive display last weekend in the FA Cup.