Lille's incredible XI of sold players features Hazard, Pepe & Digne

Last season, Lille achieved the seemingly impossible and pipped a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain team to the Ligue 1 title.

It was a historic achievement and while they've struggled in the French top-flight to a degree in 2021/22, Lille have at least enjoyed themselves in the Champions League.

Jocelyn Gourvennec's team finished top of their group to setup a date with Chelsea in the last-16.

The Blues will be the overwhelming favourites to progress to the knockout stage, though, with no one really giving Lille much of a chance.

However, if the French outfit were able to field an XI of players they have sold in recent times on Tuesday evening at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would certainly be nowhere near as confident.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: The UEFA Champions League logo is seen inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

And if you think that's a lie, we advise you to check out the XI in full...

GK - Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

Maignan was a crucial to Lille's famous Ligue 1 title win in 2020/21. He then joined AC Milan back in the summer and has continued to smash it out in Italy. The 26-year-old is comfortably one of the world's best goalkeepers these days.

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 05: Mike Maignan of LOSC Lille looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group H stage match between AC Milan and LOSC Lille at San Siro Stadium on November 5, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

RB - Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)

Since leaving Lille in 2016, Pavard's career really has gone from strength to strength. The right-back is a regular starter for Germany's biggest club and has 42 French senior appearances to his name, as well as a World Cup winner medal.

CB - Simon Kjaer (AC Milan)

Before he picked up a serious knee injury back in December, Kjaer was playing the best football of his career at Milan after signing from Sevilla in 2020. Denmark's heroic captain spent two years at Lille between 2013 and 2015, before joining Fenerbahce.

LILLE, FRANCE - DECEMBER 03: Simon Kjaer of Lille in action during the Ligue 1 match between LOSC Lille and Olympique de Marseille held at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on December 3, 2013 in Lille, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

CB - Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)

Gabriel has quietly evolved into one of the Premier League's most formidable centre-backs since moving to England in the summer of 2020. The fact the Gunners paid Lille just £27 million for him is quite remarkable in the modern market and he's only going to get better.

LB - Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)

One of the Premier League's best left-backs who's a regular in the France squad and has played for the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Roma? Not bad. Digne came through the academy at Lille and then joined PSG in 2013.

LILLE, FRANCE - MARCH 03: Lucas Digne of Lille in action during the Ligue 1 match between LOSC Lille Metropole v FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the Grand Stade Lille-Metropole on March 3, 2013 in Lille, France. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

RM - Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)

Pepe's £72 million move to Arsenal in 2019 hasn't worked out as of yet, but there's no doubting that he's still a brilliant footballer. The fleet-footed winger rediscovered his form at Lille during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and it was just great to see.

CM - Idrissa Gana Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain)

Despite now being 32, Gueye continues to be a top player for club and country. He spent five years at Lille before joining Aston Villa in 2015, where his impressive form earned him a move to Everton the following year. Gueye then secured a transfer back to France with PSG in 2019.

LILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 23: Idrissa Gueye of Lille evades Aidan McGeady of Everton during the UEFA Europa League Group H match between LOSC Lille and Everton at Grand Stade Lille Metropole on October 23, 2014 in Lille, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

CM - Yves Bissouma (Brighton)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that Bissouma is making a huge name for himself in the Premier League. Since leaving Lille for the south coast of England in 2018, the Mali international has turned into a midfield monster and a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs is now firmly on the cards.

LM - Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)

Probably the most famous footballer to have ever played for Lille. Hazard forged his glowing reputation with the French outfit, winning the Ligue 1 title in 2010/11. The Belgian joined Chelsea at the end of the following season, where he achieved legendary status. Hazard is now at Real Madrid, where the going has sadly been much tougher for him. Maybe he should re-join Lille in the summer...

ST - Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Osimhen's mega-money move to Napoli from Lille in 2020 has certainly worked out for the Italian club. The young Nigerian is now revered as one of the best strikers in the world and with good reason. He's found the back of the net 11 times in just 20 games in 2021/22, a stellar return from a player who is only going to get better and better.

ST - Rafael Leao (AC Milan)

Another former Lille player who's now thriving in Milan. Leao spent a year in France before moving to northern Italy in 2019 and he's really come into his own this season. The 22-year-old Portuguese forward has scored 10 goals in all competitions so far for Stefano Pioli's side and the sky really is the limit for him.