Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has claimed that Chelsea's chances in the last 16 of the Champions League could be hampered by not having a winter break.

The reigning Premier League champions will go head to head with PSG in February and March as they fight for a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Many European leagues have a break over the Christmas period, but for teams in England's top flight, it is the busiest time of the season.

PSG have two more games before they are given a fortnight off, while Chelsea will compete in four matches before entering 2016.

"Chelsea are playing at Christmas and new year and that must be a great effort for them, a very difficult moment both mentally and physically," Silva told Omnisport.

"When it comes to the crucial moments of the season, the knockout stages of the Champions League and the end of the local leagues, they are more tired because they didn't have a winter break.

"I hope we can take advantage of this situation, but in the Champions League you never know what is going to happen."

Chelsea have played PSG in the knockout rounds in the last three campaigns.