Manchester City return home from the international break to face Chelsea in a must-win game. The two-time defending Premier League Champions are already nine points off the title after the loss to Liverpool before the break. But now anything other than three points could drag City into an increasingly interesting battle for the Top Four.
Manchester City Need To Beat Chelsea
Manchester City Need Points
The most interesting thing about this season’s Premier League is not the race for the title. This season the race for the top four, and the implications for all involved. At the end of the last fall international break, Manchester City sits fourth in that Top Four race. A much lower and more concerning position than anyone at the club would like to be in.
Manchester City is in fourth thanks to a fantastic start from two bright young attacking teams in Leicester and Chelsea. At Chelsea, Frank Lampard has begun a smooth less transition to Chelsea’s next generation of stars. Tammy Abraham is amongst the league scoring leaders. Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Callum Hudson-Odoi are getting regular playing time.
And of course, the big money they spent on Christian Pulisic is starting to pay-off. The young American has scored 5 goals in his last 5 games and already has 3 assists as well in a Chelsea shirt. But, it’s not just the kids that have been impressive.
Chelsea’s Press
Frank Lampard has taken the foundation laid by Maurizio Sarri and improved upon it. They are possessing the ball and shooting a lot more than some of the Chelsea teams Lampard played on. But the most important improvement has been the press.
Unlike Mourinho or Conte, Maurizio Sarri brought Chelsea’s defending further up the field. And Lampard has just taken that press up a level, with more athletic younger players upfront. It will be a challenge for City to stay in control and keep that press from damaging them in the early part of this match.
Manchester City’s Weapons
If there is any team in the Premier League that is equipped to beat a press, it’s Manchester City. Everyone knows about the quick passing and ability to break teams down. But in this game, they get the added boost of a returning superstar goalkeeper.
Yes, that’s right, Ederson returned to training on Thursday and not a moment too soon. The Brazilian is so incredibly important to Manchester City’s ability to break down an opponent’s press. And that quality was sorely missed in the loss to Liverpool and will be a great addition for City in this game.
He may not always be a great shot-stopper, but Ederson makes outstanding decisions on the ball. His level of quick thinking under pressure allows City to break out of any press in the world. And if Manchester City breaks out of Chelsea’s press they will relish the chance to get at that defence.
Prediction
Ultimately the game will be decided by how well Manchester City are able to do against Chelsea’s press. They will absolutely do plenty of damage if they are able to get at Chelsea’s backline. And if Ederson is back in the team it’ll be hard to see them not being able to get through the press.
It’s not like Chelsea won’t have their own chances as well. If they don’t get them from the press, then Manchester City’s defenders won’t exactly inspire fear either. It will be the type of game where it is hard not to expect goals as well as plenty of attacking play. There is even a chance that Manchester City will be interested in making an important Premier League statement.
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