Mauricio Pochettino promised his Chelsea aspect would assault Manchester Metropolis when the 2 golf equipment meet on the Etihad Stadium for Saturday’s Premier League conflict.
The defending champions drew a memorable sport 4-4 at Stamford Bridge in November with former Metropolis participant Cole Palmer scoring a penalty in stoppage time for the hosts to grab a degree.
Chelsea have endured blended fortunes since, shedding half of their 12 league fixtures, although following Monday’s 3-1 win away at Crystal Palace, they might climb to a season-high seventh place with victory towards Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Our newest harm replace from Cobham is dwell.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 16, 2024
With 14 video games to go, the crew have already rating three extra league targets than they managed within the entirety of the final marketing campaign, when solely 4 sides netted fewer.
Pochettino mentioned there was no probability they might sit and look ahead to Metropolis – who’ve misplaced simply as soon as at residence within the English prime flight in virtually two years – to return on to them.
“The lesson (from the primary sport) is that we’re going to face the most effective groups on the planet, however on the similar time you’ll want to be courageous sufficient to attempt to drive them to defend, to run again and to face their aim,” he mentioned.
“If we go there and wait to see what’s happening, it’s a crew that may dominate you and can make you endure.
“A very powerful factor we realised is that we have to assault, be capable to run and to take the time all collectively.
“A very powerful factor is to go there and be courageous, to problem them.”
Saturday’s sport would be the first time Palmer has returned to the Etihad since his £40million summer season transfer to west London.
Earlier than making the change, the 21-year-old scored for Metropolis on this season’s Group Defend, which was misplaced on penalties to Arsenal and within the UEFA Tremendous Cup win over Sevilla.
He’s at present prime scorer for his new membership with 12 in all competitions and has been arguably the standout success of co-owner Todd Boehly’s mammoth £1billion switch spend.
Palmer had beforehand hinted that he moved as he didn’t imagine he would get ample sport time at Metropolis.
“He’s not the kind of participant that should show something,” mentioned Pochettino.
“I believe he actually could be very grateful for his interval at Manchester Metropolis, (however) he left the membership as a result of he needed to seek out one other problem and to have the likelihood to play extra.
“Man Metropolis have an incredible squad. (Golf equipment) make choices that we expect are the very best for the crew. It doesn’t imply somebody isn’t a superb participant.
“Generally the circumstance doesn’t match. Gamers need to go away and you’ll’t cease them as a result of you may’t present the sport time.
“It’s unfair to say they’re going to remorse it. Man Metropolis are the most effective groups on the planet and it’s not straightforward to seek out the house to play for a younger man.
“Somebody right here on the employees mentioned to me ‘he’s from Manchester, however he appears like a Brazilian or an Argentinian’.
“He has the capability to adapt so fast, as a result of our strengths as South People, its that we come to Europe and we adapt very fast.”
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 15, 2024
Pochettino confirmed defender Thiago Silva would miss the sport with a minor harm, although Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto had been out there.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was match for competition – having not performed since December – however the supervisor wouldn’t say whether or not he can be chosen forward of Djordje Petrovic.
“You will notice,” he mentioned. “You by no means know in soccer what can occur.”
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