League leaders Man City travel to London as they face Chelsea on Saturday night. The Cityzens are overwhelming favourites coming into the game, but Chelsea are no pushovers.
The match is sure to be one of the most fascinating tactical match-ups the Premier League has seen this season.
#1 Kyle Walker vs Eden Hazard
Kyle Walker is arguably the best and most athletic right-back in the Premier League. The Englishman covers great distance every game for City, and whips in quality crosses for his forwards to attack.
Chelsea’s talisman, Eden Hazard, has been quiet over the past few weeks after his blistering start to the season, and injuries have hampered his form as well. However, few can doubt that when in form Hazard is one of the best players in the world.
Chelsea will need a great performance from him to get a result from this game. It will be interesting to see if Walker’s attacking instincts are slightly subdued because of Hazard’s presence on the wing, and whether the Belgian can exploit the space Walker leaves when he bombs forward.
#2 Jorginho vs City’s pressing
Chelsea’s regista, Jorginho, started the season averaging well over 70 passes per game, and single-handedly dictating the tempo of games. Opposition sides have now figured out how to nullify his influence by placing a man tasked with marking him and closing him down.
City like to press the opposition and win the ball back with intensity, so Maurizio Sarri will need to find a way to shield Jorginho and make him space to play his passing game. N’Golo Kante could be utilised in a deeper role alongside Jorginho to ensure that the Italian isn’t marked out of the game like he has been in recent weeks.
#3 N’Golo Kante vs Fernandinho
Maurizio Sarri stirred conversation by claiming that N’Golo Kante wasn’t suited to a role in defensive midfield. The ever-enthusiastic Frenchman has played in a far more advanced role under the new boss, and has even been utilised on the right side of the midfield.
While Kante has been solid, his ball-winning talents are wasted in such a role. What he does offer playing in the final third is the ability to press the opposition midfielders even more, forcing mistakes.
The Brazilian operates more as a deep-lying playmaker under Guardiola, given the amount of possession City enjoy every game, but can be pressed into making mistakes. Kante should look to press Fernandinho high up the pitch and try to win the ball in dangerous positions.
Maurizio Sarri against Pep Guardiola is a tantalising prospect. The tactical acumen is bound to be exciting to watch, and the game promises to be a fantastic one. Chelsea especially need to ensure that they don’t make mistakes, considering City come into the game as favourites. Another fantastic Premier League weekend beckons.
