The Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea begins with the toughest test possible as the Blues welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this Sunday.
The Italian, who guided Leicester City to the Championship title last season, has replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout and will face his former employers on his competitive Chelsea debut. However, a torrid pre-season campaign - which included a 4-2 defeat to Man City - shows patience will be key as Maresca ushers in a new football philosophy in west London.
Some things don't change, though. Chelsea have been as frantic as ever in the transfer market, spending big and snapping up the world's brightest talent. Their squad is overflowing heading into the 2024/25 season.
Man City have been comparatively quiet in the market, signing only Savio from sister club Troyes. The Cityzens hardly need to make sweeping changes to a winning formula as they aim for a fifth successive Premier League title in what could be Pep Guardiola's final season in charge. An opening trip to Chelsea won't faze the City machine.
Here is 90min's guide to Chelsea vs Man City.
Chelsea vs Man City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
Chelsea | Man City |
|---|---|
Chelsea 1-1 Inter - 11/08/24 | Man City 1-1 (7-6p) Man Utd - 10/08/24 |
Real Madrid 2-1 Chelsea - 07/08/24 | Man City 4-2 Chelsea - 03/08/24 |
Man City 4-2 Chelsea - 03/08/24 | Man City 2-2 Barcelona - 31/07/24 |
Chelsea 3-0 Club America - 01/08/24 | Man City 2-3 Milan - 27/07/24 |
Chelsea 1-4 Celtic - 27/07/24 | Man City 3-4 Celtic - 24/07/24 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra |
United States | fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, NBC, Telemundo |
Canada | fuboTV |
After countless injury issues last season, Chelsea have been relieved to welcome back Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and Reece James during pre-season. However, the latter is suspended for the opening three games of the 2024/25 season after getting his second red card of the campaign during the penultimate game of last term.
Chelsea have a whole host of summer signings who could make debuts against Man City, including the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto and Tosin Adarabioyo. Maresca has to be careful not to throw too many of them into the starting XI, though.
Despite a busy summer of action with England at Euro 2024, Cole Palmer should be handed a start against his old side this weekend.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Nkunku.
Guardiola will be wary of rushing the likes of Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and Rodri back into the starting lineup, with the latter only returning to training on Wednesday. The impressive pre-season displays of Nico O'Reilly and James McAtee offers the City boss options, but star academy graduate Oscar Bobb is out for several months after fracturing a bone in his leg.
Erling Haaland will lead the line having scored a hat-trick in pre-season against Chelsea and Ederson will be between the sticks after featuring in the Community Shield. However, Jack Grealish is an injury doubt after missing last weekend's trip to Wembley with a muscle issue.
Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Silva, McAtee, Doku; Haaland.
Chelsea are at the beginning of a new chapter and there are bound to be plenty of bumps along the road, with Sunday perhaps being one. Not many will be expecting the Blues to win this weekend - not even most Chelsea supporters - but a positive and determined performance could significantly lift morale at Stamford Bridge.
Man City, even with a number of potential absentees, will be strong favourites in the capital and for good reason. Despite a patchy record against Chelsea last season - including a 4-4 draw on the road - the champions could well punish the Blues when they inevitably try and play risky football in their own half.