Manchester City will battle the unknown against Chelsea

Originally posted on Esteemed Kompany | By Adam Marrett | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 2:30 AM ET

There were positives to take for Manchester City from their nil-all draw against Sunderland. City’s second-half performance would beat most teams out there. But it wasn’t to be on that particular night. After Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth yesterday, you do sense that City has to beat Chelsea at the Etihad today. Mikel Arteta’s side sits seven points clear of City at the top of the Premier League entering today’s match. City faces a Chelsea side that looks to be an unknown entity after Enzo Maresca departed the club as a manager last week. What Chelsea side rocks up at the Etihad is anyone’s guess at this stage.

Chelsea has had a big week with Enzo Maresca departing his role as manager.

After 18 months in charge of Chelsea, Enzo Maresca was relieved of his duties as Chelsea manager late last week. Under Todd Boehly’s ownership, Chelsea does chew through managers. That is their way, and that hasn’t changed this season. It seems unlikely to change anytime soon, either. Calum McFarlane will take charge of Chelsea for today’s match against Manchester City. The Blues look to be an unknown proposition for Pep Guardiola’s side to conquer today.

It is highly unlikely that Calum McFarlane will make a host of tactical tweaks for today’s match. He seemingly hasn’t had time to do so. Chelsea, at their best, can be a tough proposition. Any team with Cole Palmer, Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, and every other Football Manager wonderkid over the past few years in their squad can be a handful. The question is: Which Chelsea will show up at the Etihad today? Will they be subdued due to Enzo Maresca’s departure? Or will they be fired up to prove a point at the Etihad today?

Manchester City simply have to overcome whatever Chelsea throws at them today.

Simply put, Manchester City has to overcome whichever Chelsea side turns up today. Pep Guardiola’s side needs to pick up three points, and Chelsea is an obstacle to overcome. It is as simple as that. City won’t want to drop points again after their draw against Sunderland. You do sense that City will have to be on guard against a Chelsea side that could produce anything today. If they are, and City play to their level, they should have too much for Calum McFarlane’s side to overcome.

Manchester City will battle the unknown against Chelsea today. Who knows what Chelsea side will turn up at the Etihad. But Pep Guardiola’s side can not be focussed on that. If City take their eye off the ball, they may cop a whack right between the eyes from Chelsea today. City cannot afford that to happen so they must be focussed on what they can control and nothing else.

This article first appeared on Esteemed Kompany and was syndicated with permission.

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