Chelsea want United advice

Chelsea’s interim chief executive Paul Smith revealed the Stamford Bridge club will attempt to gain an advantage over Champions League opponents Stuttgart by consulting Premiership rivals Manchester United.

The Old Trafford side were in the same group as Stuttgart, beating them in midweek to ensure they topped the group.

Stuttgart face another trip to England, with today’s draw for the knock-out stages pairing them with Chelsea, who will ask for advice from United.

Smith told Sky Sports News: “It is very interesting for us. Stuttgart are a very good team, top of the Bundesliga and very young.

“As always when there’s an England v Germany clash then there is a lot of media interest. I’m looking for to this one.”

Asked whether Chelsea will consult United, he added: “I think there may be some co-operation. We know Manchester United very well and we’ll try to learn as much as we can.

“We like to play in Germany as we demonstrated on Wednesday (in the win over Besiktas). I think everyone will be looking forward to this one very much.”