Manchester City have fallen 9 points behind in the Premier League title race and in order to keep their hopes up, they must find back the winning key which allowed them to win 14 matches in-a-row to seal the title last season.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side, on the other hand, are high on confidence. They visit Etihad Stadium on the back of seven away wins in a row in all competitions.
A win for the Blues could send them second in the table should Leicester fail to beat Brighton.
Ahead of the game, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has faced the press.
Mourinho back: “You know him better than me. He was many years here in different clubs. welcome back. An incredible manager and I’m pretty sure he’ll do a good job. I was a little surprised with Mauricio because he had done an incerdible job and the club was better. Always the managers when they leave it is to know if the club and team are better than when they take over and I think it happened but decisions are made and there is nothing else to say.”
Bernardo Silva banned. Why haven’t City appealed? “In that situation, the less important thing is we are going to miss him. He has been accused for something he is not. If they want to pick up someone to show something it was the right person. He will be careful to use social media. If this can help to do a better society, ok. I’m pretty sure Bernardo accepts this punishment but he is not like he has been accused.”
Title Race: “A few weeks ago there were two contenders and now we have four so maybe there will be six in a few days. We are in November, there is a long way to play.”
Are Derby Lampard’s Barcelona B? “Yeah in those terms it is quite similar. You could say a little bit but it is too early. He has been a manager for a year and a half and I am a little longer because I am a little older but he has his future in his hands. From my experience, experience doesn’t count much. I would say that when you know the club it is a good advantage and Lampard knows Chelsea perfectly and everything behind the scenes - media, fans, players - so that is good. When I arrived not many people trusted me, honestly. Few, few people. Maybe the president, sporting director and not many. Maybe Frank was similar at Derby. He didn’t take results and people said he didn’t have experience. At the start when nobody trusts you it is perfect because you win every game - you cannot lose more. The problem is when you have won titles and nothing is enough. In case for Frank, it is perfect, an ideal situation. At the big clubs you have incredible players so it is easier to do a good job in Chelsea or Barcelona than another club. If you work a lot and have patience, the results and success can come.”
City injury update for Chelsea: “Ederson is back. He trained in the last few days without pain. Laporte and Sane are still injured for two or three months.”
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