Former Norwich City striker Chris Sutton has predicted Chelsea will open their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a defeat against defending champions Manchester City. Sutton also criticized the way the Blues were operating, admitting he was unsure what the club was trying to achieve.
Enzo Maresca To Begin Life As Chelsea Manager
One of the most successful clubs in English soccer, Chelsea has been all over the place in the last couple of years. After Roman Abramovich was forced to concede his ownership status, a consortium, led by American billionaire Todd Boehly, has taken charge of the club. The Pensioners have spent over $1 billion on recruits since the takeover, but they are nowhere close to reaping the rewards.
After Chelsea went through three coaches — Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Frank Lampard — in the 2022-23 season, everyone expected some continuity under Mauricio Pochettino last term. Pochettino struggled to hit the ground running but he got to grips with everything toward the end of the 2023-24 Premier League season. Chelsea played excellent soccer to cap off the campaign, winning their last five league games on the bounce.
Despite ending on a satisfactory note, Pochettino shockingly got the sack, with Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca coming in as his replacement. The former Manchester City assistant coach will oversee his first game as Chelsea coach this week, facing defending champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
Chris Sutton Backs Manchester City to Beat Chelsea
In his Premier League prediction column for BBC, Sutton wrote:
“Several of Manchester City’s stars won’t play at all, because they only returned to training this week, but the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bernado Silva will be able to play more minutes after featuring as late substitutes in the Community Shield.
“I have no idea what to expect from Chelsea, and I don’t even know what the club is trying to do anymore.”
He added:
“Is their priority to build a team to win trophies, or is there some other business strategy going on?
“Chelsea have got some talented players and Cole Palmer will have a say again against his former club, but I still think City will find a way to win it.”
Sutton’s prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City
As per myKhel, the two English sides have met in 50 competitive matches. Chelsea has won 27, Manchester City 16, and seven games have ended all square.
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