Chelsea take on defending champions Manchester City in a huge opening weekend clash in the Premier League with some of their new stars hoping to make their debut.
It’s been another summer of change at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca in the dugout with 10 new signings arriving in an increasingly wedged dressing room.
Pedro Neto will be hoping to make his debut for the club following his £54million arrival from Wolves with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, formerly one of Maresca’s stars at Leicester, also in line to make his competitive bow.
The Blues have a relatively clean bill of health but Reece James will miss the opener with a four-match suspension carried over from last season, having been sent off in Chelsea’s penultimate game of the season against Brighton.
James will miss the first three games of the season because of that suspension but is also nursing a fresh hamstring injury that could delay his return.
Conor Gallagher captained the Blues in James’ absence last season but he may have played his last game for the club, ordered to train with the Under-21s while his proposed move to Atletico Madrid hangs in the balance.
Maresca confirmed on Friday the midfielder will not be considered for selection this weekend.
Nicolas Jackson got his first minutes of pre-season against Inter Milan last Sunday after ankle problems while on international duty with Senegal in the summer.
Axel Disasi was also back among the substitutes that day with Wesley Fofana making his first appearance in over a year.
Manchester City meanwhile will be without Rodri for their opener. The midfielder was granted an extended summer break following Spain’s Euro 2024 success,
While he returned to Manchester this week, he is yet to return to training with Pep Guardiola revealing on Friday he has ‘no chance’ of playing in west London.
There was another injury blow this week with news that Oscar Bobb is expected to be sidelined for three to four months, undergoing surgery on a leg injury this week.
John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden also missed the Community Shield clash with Manchester United with all three back in training this week and are in contention.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Manchester City
Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson
Predicted Manchester City XI vs Chelsea
Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne; Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Where to watch Chelsea vs Man City? Kick-off time and TV channel
Chelsea vs Man City kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday August 18.
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
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