Chelsea: Three Man City players that Lampard’s side must stop

Manchester City are on the hunt for a treble and will have a chance to clinch one out of those three titles with a win over Chelsea on Sunday. A win would see City achieve a three-peat of the league title. The defending champions are unbeaten in their last 14 league games.

A 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspurs in February was the last time they lost. Pep Guardiola’s side have picked up 40 points in the last 14 games, dropping points against Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw.

Guardiola will look to field out a strong 11 to get the job done so they can rest key players for the upcoming FA Cup final and Champions League final. At the moment every player in a Man City shirt looks in impeccable form and is a threat. Here are three Citizens the Blues must stop to delay Manchester City’s title parade.

3 Man City players that Chelsea must stop

1. Erling Haaland

The Norwegian has taken the league by storm and broken multiple records in his debut season in England. With 36 goals with seven assists in 33 league appearances, Haaland has been a threat for every team. Chelsea’s backline will need to be at their best to keep the league’s top scorer at bay. Thiago Silva will need to marshal his fellow defenders to make sure Haaland does not get many chances. In the reverse fixture, City’s number nine did not manage to get on the scoresheet.

2. Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City’s engine, De Bruyne is at the heart of the team’s attack and pulls the string from the midfield, dictating the tempo and also joining in the goal-scoring action, scoring vital goals. Leading the league in assists with 16 assists, the Belgian has come to life in the second half of the season and CFC’s midfield will have a tough battle on their hands to keep De Bruyne in check. He is joint-top with Bruno Fernandes in chances created (31).

3. Ilkay Gundogan

The skipper for Guardiola’s side turns up at the business end of the season and delivers in moments when needed most. Citizens’ captain brought home the title for them last season with a brace as City was down 2-0 against Aston Villa on the last matchday and his quickfire brace inspired the team to a 3-2 victory.

Leading the team when it matters. Gundogan is in red-hot form, the German has four goals and one assist in the last two league games. A brace against Leeds United and one against Everton. Frank Lampard will have to come up with a plan to nullify Gundogan in the middle of the park.

Chelsea has an opportunity to spoil the party for Manchester City and make them wait a little more for their title. The Blues have not been able to beat City in the three fixtures this season as all of them have ended in defeat for CFC. In the past, the West Londoners have played a part in deciding title winners, as Chelsea defeated Spurs to ensure the title for Leicester City in 2015/16. In 2021, The Blues beat Man City 2-1 and delayed their trophy celebrations by a week.

Lampard and his men have a chance to do so again and also a shot at redemption by beating City for the first time this season.