Chelsea vs Man City: 4 key battles that could decide Stamford Bridge opener

Assignments don't come much trickier for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on his Premier League bow.

The Italian faces up against a man with whom he's very familiar in Pep Guardiola. A former City assistant, Maresca guided Leicester back into the top tier last season and was courted by the Blues after the club parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino following just a mere campaign together.

Maresca's start has been far from plain sailing with an unproductive pre-season failing to enamour a demanding fanbase. "My advice is to give him time and it will work," Guardiola said of the Italian ahead of Sunday's game. Patience is a dwindling trait in this day and age, however.

The upcoming duel will not define Maresca's stint in west London, but it may well set the tone. Some might say this is the best time to face Pep Guardiola's Cityzens, especially given that the visitors are without lynchpin Rodri in the middle of the park, but Chelsea nonetheless have a huge task on their hands if they're to start the 2024/25 season in positive fashion.

Here are four key battles that will decide Sunday's clash on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

1. Erling Haaland vs Chelsea's high defensive line

The back-to-back Golden Boot winner heads into 2024/25 off the back of a productive season, and Haaland had particular joy against Chelsea's porous backline in the summer.

The Norwegian netted a hat-trick as City thumped the Blues 4-2 across the pond.

Haaland scored twice at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling 4-4 draw last season, but canny box defending at the Etihad ensured Chelsea limited the Nordic goal machine in the reverse fixture. While City are poised to pen in and suffocate their opponents on Sunday, Chelsea will at least make an attempt to impose themselves via an aggressive defensive line.

Maresca's approach against City will likely teeter on the brave/suicidal continuum. A lack of pressure on the ball higher up the pitch exposed Chelsea's defensive line in pre-season, and Haaland will be licking his lips if he faces up against a similarly dysfunctional side without the ball this weekend.

While Chelsea could deploy a couple of impressive recovery defenders in Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, they're asking for trouble should they allow Haaland to run in behind at will given his proficiency in one-on-one situations.

2. Cole Palmer vs Josko Gvardiol

It was a fairly subdued pre-season for Palmer off the back of his Euro 2024 exploits, but Chelsea's 2023/24 hero should be ready for action on Sunday having appeared in the Blues' final friendly of the summer against Inter.

The Englishman will be expected to operate down the right in Maresca's 3-2-5 possesion structure that will hand him plenty of freedom to drift infield. Thus, Palmer is expcted to see an array of City defenders at the Bridge, but Gvardiol, in particular, may be tasked with limited Chelsea's star man.

The Croatian international had a bit of a nightmare in the corresponding fixture last season, but he came on strong down the stretch to play a key role in City's title triumph. He blossomed as an adventurous left-back for Guardiola, and we can only assume he'll resume this role to start 2024/25.

While Maresca will aim to reduce Chelsea's reliance on Palmer, the playmaker's relentless willingness to make things happen means a concerted effort must be made by the visitors to tame him.

Going the other way, Gvardiol will seek to take advantage of Palmer's flaws without the ball.

3. Christopher Nkunku vs Rodri's deputy

It was an incredibly frustrating debut season for Nkunku, who spent much of it on the sidelines.

However, the Frenchman enjoyed an injury-free summer and looks set to play a big role during Maresca's maiden campaign at the helm. The Italian has the option of utilising Nkunku as a false nine or a number ten against City. Either way, the former RB Leipzig star will spend much of the afternoon operating between the lines.

In Rodri's absence, this is an area Chelsea should have some joy. The Spaniard, simply put, is irreplaceable. Guardiola will likely turn to Mateo Kovacic at the base of midfield, maybe even Rico Lewis, but no alternative will be able to supply Rodri's all-encompassing security.

He's going to be a huge miss, and the canny Nkunku, in tandem with Palmer, is best placed to take advantage.

4. Kevin De Bruyne vs Chelsea's midfield pivot

We're unsure as to what midfield configuration the new Chelsea boss will opt for, but the Blues are likely to press in a 4-4-2. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Romeo Lavia are among the options for Maresca.

Whoever is deployed in the middle of the park will have the unenviable task of preventing City's superstars from wreaking havoc in the half-spaces. Phil Foden is a master on the half-turn, while Kevin De Bruyne has made a career out of delivering from the right inside channel.

Chelsea's defensive issues in pre-season stemmed from a lack of reliable ball pressure higher up the field, and if City are able to relentlessly access their star playmakers in dangerous positions behind Chelsea's midfield, the hosts have no chance of keeping the score down.

De Bruyne, in what may well be his last dance in Manchester, could enjoy a productive afternoon to kick-off 2024/25.

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