Chelsea FC will look to get their 2015/16 season started this weekend, after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Swansea City last Saturday. The only problem is that their opponents this Sunday are Manchester City.
The Blues had a pretty atrocious pre-season. During a three-match tour of the United States, they managed to win zero games, losing to the New York Red Bulls, and drawing the fixtures with PSG and Barcelona.
The most concerning part of that trip was Diego Costa limping off with hamstring troubles in the last game. The talismanic Spaniard would then sit out the FA Community Shield and subsequent Fiorentina friendly, both of which Chelsea would lose 1-0.
Even with this, there was still hope that Jose Mourinho would sprinkle some pixie dust over the squad and everything would click into place come the opening Premier League fixture against Swansea City. It didn’t happen. Swansea could have easily won the clash too, especially after Thibaut Courtois was sent off for denying Bafetimbi Gomis a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Nevertheless, Chelsea will look to regroup and put in a much better performance at The Etihad. While my colleague Zahir Gilani reminded us that the Blues only took four points from Man City away, WBA away and Swansea at home last season, Chelsea know that 1 point from the opening two games will create a psychological chasm.
With that in mind, here is Chelsea’s predicted XI for the Man City meeting.
Next: Goalkeeper