PREVIEW: Chelsea aim for long-awaited victory over title chasers Manchester City at Stamford Bridge
PREVIEW: Chelsea aim for long-awaited victory over title chasers Manchester City at Stamford Bridge Chelsea look to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive with victory over title chasers Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. The sixth-placed Blues sit just one point behind Liverpool with seven games remaining, hoping to capitalise on Premier League sides earning an extra Champions League qualification spot for the top flight this season. Prior to the international break, The Blues expectedly swept aside League One bottom club Port Vale to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals, following four successive losses for the first time since April 2023, including a humiliating defeat to PSG.
In their last 13 meetings with Sunday’s opponents, Chelsea have not managed to beat them, albeit their draw in the reverse fixture this term was a memorably competitive display. Led by then caretaker manager Calum McFarlane, they salvaged a draw through a last-gasp equaliser by Enzo Fernandez in stoppage time. Their heroic goalscorer from January’s meeting has now been hit by a two-match ban enforced by his own club, due to his recent comments that hinted he could be considering an exit in the summer.
Liam Rosenior gave an update on his stance: “I’ve not been questioning his character, or who he is as a person. I believe people make mistakes. “There are certain values and cultures that I believe in that make the team stronger if you get them right.
” The Chelsea boss confirmed the Argentinian midfielder has apologised, yet his ban remains in place for the weekend’s tie, and captain Reece James will be another notable absentee. The right-back, whose versatility has also earned him a role in midfield, has been ravaged by hamstring injuries and is yet to nurse his latest one. Rosenior mentioned the fitness progression of defenders Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah as well, but neither will be able to feature at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Alongside the aforementioned Fernandez, another player has admitted to contemplating closing the chapter on his current club. Assistant Manchester City boss, Pep Leijnders, disclosed Bernardo Silva’s nine-year spell at the club could be coming to an end in his post-match press conference after the 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup last Saturday. Pep Guardiola restored a glimmer of hope for City fans about Silva’s future, while stressing he was not first to know about the possible decision.