Chelsea open their 2024/25 Premier League campaign against Manchester City in a huge tie at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca will take charge of Chelsea for the first time against his former club, as the Italian pits his wits against former mentor Pep Guardiola. Maresca spent time on the coaching staff at the Citizens before leading Leicester City to promotion last season, an achievement that earned him the Chelsea role this summer.
It’s been a tough pre-season for the Blues, whose mind-boggling recruitment process has continued with another splurge on new signings. Maresca will be tasked with organising a bloated and expensively-assembled squad into a winning side, as Chelsea look to improve from consecutive seasons outside of the Premier League’s top four.
Chelsea vs Manchester City – Predicted lineup and team news
Chelsea team news
Cole Palmer will be crucial to Chelsea’s campaign following his breakout 2023/24, with the 22-year-old scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists for the West Londoners. No player in the Premier League was directly involved in more goals than Palmer, who claimed Chelsea’s Player of the Season, the Premier League Young Player of the Season, and PFA Fans’ Player of the Season awards.
In terms of summer transfers, Maresca has brought in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from former side Leicester after his influential role in the Foxes’ promotion campaign, while Tosin Adarabioyo could also debut after a free transfer move from Fulham. The battle for the number one shirt will be between Robert Sanchez and new recruit Filip Jorgensen, who has arrived after impressing at Villarreal last season.
Pedro Neto has been the most expensive recruit of the summer after a €63 move from Wolves this week, though may have to be content with a place on the bench this weekend.
The wait for the return of the #PL is nearly over! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ASg0PnkTT2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 17, 2024
However, much of Chelsea’s recruitment has focused around long-term planning with Omari Kellyman (18), Aaron Anselmino (19), Renato Veiga (20), Caleb Wiley (19), Marc Guiu (18) and Estevao Willian (17) all signed with a view to sustained success.
There will be no place in the squad this weekend for Conor Gallagher or Trevoh Chalobah with the academy graduates frozen out of the picture at Chelsea.
Maresca has also indicated that Ben Chilwell is free to leave after losing his place in the side to Marc Cucurella. The England international has been hampered by consistent injury problems in recent campaigns.
Chelsea vs Manchester City predicted lineup
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku.
Chelsea vs Manchester City TV Channel and kick-off time
The match live is on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League for a UK audience, with coverage starting at 4pm BST. Kick-off is 4:30 pm.
