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Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium as two sides in poor form bid to end their recent struggles.
Pep Guardiola’s side were plunged into deeper Champions League peril by a midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving them in real danger of not making the knockout rounds. In squandering a 2-0 advantage, familiar frailties again appeared as a curious campaign continues. Guardiola has been boosted by the arrival of three new signings in the last week, with Omar Marmoush the headline addition as the manager seeks to rebuild his squad.
The visitors are also riding a rough patch, slipping out of the title race. Chelsea did, at least, return to winning ways against Wolves last weekend but scrutiny remains on Enzo Maresca as he looks to restart a stuttering season. Back at his former club, can Guardiola’s former lieutenant pile more pain on the champions?
Pep Guardiola sees next two games as ‘finals’
Manchester City know that they will have to beat Club Brugge to have any hope of making the Champions League knockout rounds, while today’s encounter is likely to have a significant impact on the chase for places in Europe next season.
Pep Guardiola knows how crucial these next few days are for his side: “It’s really important for the quality of the side, that Chelsea have been, they’re close in the table, and with the big, big problems that we’ve had in the recent past.
“The goal this week is really, really important. The next two games are finals for us.
“We’re going out with our people (behind us), they’re going to support us to do good performance and take the results that we need.”
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:45
Enzo Maresca says Pep Guardiola needs support in Manchester City’s plight
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has rallied around Pep Guardiola and said the struggling Manchester City boss needs support after a run of two wins in seven European games left City’s Champions League knockout phase hopes under threat.
City are yet to fully emerge from their surprise slump and a 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday, when they squandered a two-goal lead, has left them outside of the Champions League’s playoff places with one-game of the league phase remaining.
“Pep is strong enough in this kind of thing. But for sure, like any human being, he needs support in this moment, for the last eight or nine years, they were always on top,” Maresca said yesterday.
“With this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, they want to show how good they are. I don’t think there is ever a good moment to play City.
“It is normal in football to live moments like they are in. For sure, they will be back to winning trophies soon.”
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:35
Enzo Maresca does not rule out move for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is happy with his squad but would not rule out a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho in January.
Representatives for the 20-year-old were in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday amid reports the club hold an interest.
Maresca, who is likely to be without Mykhailo Mudryk for an extended period as the Ukrainian awaits the outcome of an FA investigation into doping, handed a Premier League debut to academy graduate Tyrique George during the 3-1 win, after being left with only three available senior wide forwards.
Enzo Maresca does not rule out move for Man Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho
Representatives for the 20-year-old were in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:20
Predicted lineups
Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Will Castle25 January 2025 14:10
New Man City signings to be thrust straight into team amid injury crisis
Manchester City’s three new signings could be plunged into debuts against Chelsea today as Ruben Dias has been added to Pep Guardiola’s injury list.
Defender Dias suffered a groin problem in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving City waiting to find out how long he faces on the sidelines.
But they have signed two young centre-backs this week, with Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov joining from Lens for an initial £33m and Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £29m, while forward Omar Marmoush arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £63m.
New Man City signings to be thrust straight into team amid injury crisis
Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush and Vitor Reis could all feature against Chelsea this weekend after Pep Guardiola received more bad injury news
Richard Jolly25 January 2025 14:05
How can you watch Manchester City vs Chelsea?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 5pm. A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
Will Castle25 January 2025 14:00
Manchester City vs Chelsea LIVE
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. The recent trouble and strife continued for Pep Guardiola’s men in Paris in midweek, but things appear to be picking up domestically as they face another side enduring a difficult spell.Tap Here for the Full Story
