It’s Sarrismo vs Tiki-Taka in the English capital, but who will lay down an early marker come Sunday?
(Photos: AFP/Getty Images; graphic: www.thestatesman.com)
The curtain-raiser for the 2018/19 Premier League season is barely 24 hours away and ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City, the stage is set for what promises to be a mouthwatering spectacle.
Not just because of the fact that the two sides have dominated the English top-flight for the past half-decade or so, but due to the fact that both their managers lean heavily on an aesthetically-pleasing brand of football.
The similarities between Maurizio Sarri and Pep Guardiola are immense, but the key difference between the two is the former’s bare trophy cabinet and the Italian will be champing at the bit to set the record straight.
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So which way will the cookie crumble in the English capital?
With both sides nowhere near fielding full-strength squads, it’s anybody’s guess but the Sky Blues remain slight favourites ahead of their Wembley meeting.
The message from Sarri is: “So far, so good. Progress is being made.”
Good, however, doesn’t quite cut it under Roman Abramovich. Just ask Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and most recently, Antonio Conte.
Pre-season results have been encouraging, but not nearly impressive, even if the likes of Jorginho and academy prospect Callum Hudson-Odoi have shone.
However, how long will the Blues players take to settle into their new four-man defence?
Marcos Alonso’s game isn’t suited to a regular fullback role, while David Luiz effectively was out of action for the entirety of last season and the jury is still out on his central defensive partner, Antonio Rudiger.
With Thibaut Courtois yet to return from his summer vacation, Willy Caballero is set to start in goal which leaves Cesar Azipilicueta as the sole ‘dependable’ player in their backline.
Jorginho is a guaranteed starter and all eyes will be on the Brazilian-born Italian as he seeks to stamp his authority in his maiden Premier League season, but who’s going to partner him with Cesc Fabregas injured and N’Golo Kante unavailable?
Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater are likely to get the nod and that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, considering the duo have barely managed a handful of starts in the past year.
For the former Everton man, in particular, it’s a make-or-break season and no time like staking a claim for a starting spot than a ‘cup final’ against the defending Premier League champions.
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Up top, Sarri might just opt to start teenage sensation Hudson-Odoi along with Alvaro Morata and Pedro.
While Pedro’s been in good shape, his compatriot has been anything but and there’s already a lot of pressure on Morata, can the lanky Spaniard follow in the footsteps of Diego Costa and Didier Drogba or will be remain an expensive flop like Fernando Torres?
The club may not like it, but with the situation surrounding Eden Hazard and Courtois, it’ll do them good to wrap up a trophy and then enter negotiations for the Belgian duo is not likely to be impressed if the Blues fail to win.
Talking corner: “I think he’s (Guardiola) the best coach in the world, or one of the best for sure. The match is very difficult for one reason: they have worked together for two years and we started two-and-a-half weeks ago, so for us it will be a very difficult match.” Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri
Probable starting XI: (4-3-3) Willy Caballero, Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ross Barkley, Jorginho, Danny Drinkwater, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Alvaro Morata and Pedro
Injury concerns: Willian (lacking match fitness) and Cesc Fabregas (knee)
Players yet to report back after World Cup: N’Golo Kante, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard
Suspension alert: None
City, bankrolled by the petrodollars of the Abu Dhabi United Group and managed by the genius of Pep Guardiola, are once again favourites for the Premier League and perhaps even the UEFA Champions League.
To be fair though, City haven’t spent colossal figures this summer, with Riyad Mahrez the sole senior addition of note at a cool £60 million.
The rest of City’s squad remains unchanged and barring central defence, there aren’t any significant chinks in their armour.
Ederson has, in just one season, established himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the English top-flight, while right-back Kyle Walker too upped his game under Guardiola.
With Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, two of the many standout performers from their glorious 2017/18 campaign, unlikely to feature, the onus will be on the likes of Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus to provide impetus while going forward.
Fernandinho is set to reprise his partnership with Ilkay Guendogan and both players will be keen to banish memories of a ghastly World Cup campaign by starting the new season on a high.
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One player who’s been seriously impressive in pre-season is Bernardo Silva and from the looks of it, the diminutive Portuguese is ready to take over David Silva’s mantle this season.
Mahrez has looked the real deal too and should shrug off an ankle injury to feature against last season’s FA Cup winners.
Young Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte’s primed to establish his spot in the heart of the Sky Blues defence, but who’s going to partner him?
Will it be the imperious but injury-prone Vincent Kompany or the accident waiting to happen that is Nicolas Otamendi.
The smart money is on Kompany but with Walker still not match fit, right-back is an area of serious concern for Pep.
Danilo is still not ready for first-team action, so either Jason Denayer or Oleksandr Zinchenko will start there against the Blues.
Predicting their formation and starting XI is virtually impossible for Guardiola is known to tinker and he may just utilise Mahrez as a No.10 instead of his usual role as a winger.
Up top, he’s got the usual dilemma with Aguero and Jesus competing for one spot and while the manager clearly prefers the Brazilian, at this stage in the season, it all depends on who’s in better shape.
Talking corner “I don’t know the hunger we have, I don’t have an answer, but I’ll try to repeat what we did at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and be harder with my players. That’s the best way to describe it.” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Probable starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Ederson, Benjamin Mendy, Aymeric Laporte, Vincent Kompany, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Ilkay Guendogan, Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus
Injury concerns: Riyad Mahrez (ankle), Kyle Walker (lacking match fitness), Vincent Kompany (lacking match fitness), Fabian Delph (lacking match fitness) and Danilo (ankle)
Players yet to report back after World Cup: Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne
Suspension alert: None
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