Chelsea will go head-to-head against Manchester City in their 2024/25 Premier League season opener. Man City, the reigning champions, head into the weekend following a disappointing summer transfer window. Chelsea enters the season following an unimpressive preseason. The two teams face each other again just 15 days after their pre-season match in the United States. Manchester City won this match, clinching a 4-2 win thanks to a hat-trick from Erling Haaland.
Chelsea Vs. Man City Preview
Man City beat Chelsea 4–2 at Ohio Stadium a few weeks ago in a preseason match. But now that key players have returned from summer breaks spent playing for their countries, both teams look very different. As Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Man City, Enzo Maresca knows a lot about the Spanish coach and respects him. All of that won’t matter during the game on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Current champions City are the favorites. Chelsea’s confusing trade policy and needless firing of Mauricio Pochettino this summer have caused another chaotic summer.
Maresca was hired from Leicester during the off-season. He is the team’s sixth manager since Todd Boehly’s group bought the London team in 2022. Last season, the Blues came in 28 points behind the winners, Man City. They have also had a rough summer as Boehly went on a spending spree, leaving Maresca with a dangerously overcrowded squad.
Team News and Possible Starting Lineups
Chelsea will be missing their captain, Reece James, for Sunday’s game. Injury concerns plague the 24-year-old, who unfortunately found himself suspended following a red card in the Blues’ penultimate match of last season. It is anticipated that Malo Gusto will begin the match as the right-back. Also, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez should start in goal over new signing Filip Jorgensen. Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill are expected to be the central defensive partners that protect Robert Sanchez.
Oscar Bobb will be sidelined for a significant period due to a fractured fibula. Man City will also be without their key midfielder, Rodri, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Euro 2024 final. He has not joined training yet following an extended summer break. There are also question marks surrounding the potential participation of Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones. None of them were present at the Community Shield last weekend, and they have only recently returned to first-team training after a few days off. New signing Savinho could make his Premier League debut as Oscar Bobb is unavailable.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Robert Sanchez (GK); Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Marc Guiu
Man City’s possible starting lineup: Ederson (GK); Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic; Savinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland.
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