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.
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