Manchester City braces for an assault by Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, as per Mauricio Pochettino's declarations
Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager of Chelsea, has outlined his tactical approach ahead of the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
In a press conference, Pochettino confirmed the availability of Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto for the game, while expressing concerns over the absence of Thiago Silva due to a minor injury. He was non-committal about the goalkeeper selection, stating simply, "You will see."
One player who could feature prominently is Cole Palmer, the top scorer for Chelsea with 12 goals in all competitions. Palmer, who joined Chelsea in the summer, had previously scored for Manchester City in this season's Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla. This weekend's game marks his first return to the Etihad Stadium since his £40million move.
Pochettino described Palmer as a player who does not need to prove anything and has the capacity to adapt quickly. He also acknowledged Manchester City's squad, stating that circumstances did not match for Palmer to get sufficient game time. Palmer, in turn, expressed gratitude for his time at Manchester City but left to seek a new challenge and more playing time.
Chelsea have scored three more league goals than they managed in the entirety of the last campaign, and Pochettino emphasized the importance of attacking, running, and making an effort collectively against Manchester City. He was adamant that there is no chance they will sit and wait for City to come on to them.
The last game between the two teams ended in a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge in November. Following a 3-1 win away at Crystal Palace, Chelsea could climb to a season-high seventh place with victory against Manchester City.
Pochettino's tactical approach typically involves high-pressing to regain possession quickly, utilizing swift transitions to catch opponents off guard, balancing attack and defense, and adapting his tactics based on the opponent and available players. With these strategies in mind, the upcoming game promises to be an exciting encounter between two formidable Premier League sides.
Pochettino stated that they will focus on attacking in the upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City, as they have scored three more league goals than the entirety of the last campaign. He also mentioned that Cole Palmer, the top scorer for Chelsea, could feature prominently in this European-leagues match, considering his past with Manchester City.
