Key events
A reminder of the teams
Chelsea (possible 4-1-2-3) Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku.
Substitutes: Mudryk, Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga, Jorgensen, Madueke, Neto, Guiu, Adarabioyo, Badiashile.
Man City (possible 4-1-2-3) Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic; De Bruyne, Bernardo; Doku, Haaland, Savinho.
Substitutes: Grealish, Nunes, Foden, McAtee, O’Reilly, Ortega, Walker, Ake, Stones.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
Jacob Steinberg
Raheem Sterling will seek clarity over his future after his surprise omission from Chelsea’s squad to face Manchester City. The former City winger has had an up and down time since moving to Stamford Bridge two years ago.
It’s pretty crowded in Chelsea’s attack since the arrival of Pedro Neto but you still would have expected a player of Sterling’s experience to be in the squad. He scored twice against City last season. But Enzo Maresca has plenty of wingers at his disposal and there are suggestions that Sterling, who earns around £300,000 a week, is up for sale. Juventus have been linked with him.
The early game has finished Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa showing there’s nothing to fear about a future without Ivan Toney.
Enzo Maresca on the Chelsea fanbase
For sure we need their support in any case because when you are on the pitch and you can hear the support, it’s like a 12th player. If they support us and are patient, we will pay them back with performances and results.
Pep Guardiola on the business of winning
When we arrive in the last month and we are close to winning another Premier League, then that will be the motivation. But now? For me the motivation to win another Premier League is not there … for me it will be in the last month. Now it’s: ‘Can we beat Chelsea?’
Enzo Maresca on his young Chelsea squad
I like the age. The important thing is they are full of talent. But talent is not enough and we need something more. This is the reason we are trying to create some culture, not only on the pitch but also outside the pitch.
Team news
No new signings in the Chelsea XI, though there are six on the bench including Pedro Neto. Savinho starts in attack for Manchester City, whose four Euro 2024 finalists are either on the bench or, in the case of Rodri, not involved at all.
Chelsea (possible 4-1-2-3) Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku.
Substitutes: Mudryk, Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga, Jorgensen, Madueke, Neto, Guiu, Adarabioyo, Badiashile.
Man City (possible 4-1-2-3) Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic; De Bruyne, Bernardo; Doku, Haaland, Savinho.
Substitutes: Grealish, Nunes, Foden, McAtee, O’Reilly, Ortega, Walker, Ake, Stones.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
Preamble
What’s the best time to play Manchester City? Trick question: there isn’t one. When the fixture list was published, I thought this might be a good time for Chelsea to play City, who will be without a number of players for one reason or another. Then I looked at City’s Premier League record in August under Pep Guardiola: P24 W19 D4 L1 F72 A17 Pts 61.
There has been speculation that this will be Pep’s last August as City manager. All he really cares about is April, May and occasionally June, when the celebratory cigars come out. He and City are aiming for a record-extending fifth straight title, and a seventh in eight years.
It’s only three years since Chelsea beat City in the Champions League; now they live on different planets. Chelsea are starting again, again, under Enzo Maresca, with the same concerns about what they’re doing and whether he’ll be given enough time. In the last 20 years, only Jose Mourinho has lasted longer than two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
“My advice is to give him time and it will work,” said Guardiola, who worked with Maresca at City. “All managers need time. I don’t know if Chelsea is the place to do this, but it will work if they give him time. This is my feeling.”
Chelsea caused City as many problems as anyone last season, drawing both league games and losing a tight FA Cup semi-final 1-0. Whether that counts for anything now they have a new manager, we’ll soon find out.
Kick off 4.30pm.