Aguero in contention to face Chelsea

It was not only the fact that the 2014 Premier League champions failed to win a trophy last time around; it was also the manner of their league title defence that concerned the club’s hierarchy.

Considering City trailed Chelsea by six points after the first 10 games of last season – and lost by only two more in the end – that would be a considerable boost for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Pellegrini did not want to be drawn into commenting on that matter and claimed it would make little difference to players’ preparations for the game anyway. With Sergio Aguero on the bench (Copa America fatigue), Yaya Toure, David Silva and Vincent Kompany scored a goal each.

“The new signings have fitted in really well so hopefully we can push on and have a good season”. Their other two friendlies ended in draws, before the Blues edged out both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in a penalty shootout. It seems likely that Asmir Begovic will start in net for Jose Mourinho’s squad on Sunday, after he came in for Courtois last weekend.

Mourhino is a master at neutralising teams tactically and I think that Chelsea will go to the Ethiad and play for a draw, it is what Mourhino is famous for, win home games and dont lose away games and it is a philosophy that has won him leagues in every country he has managed in. “He’s at a level where he decides how good his team are”.

The Citizens have made a habit of lifting the top-flight title in alternate years following successes in the 2011/12 and 2013/14 seasons and on both of these occasions they also led the field on the first and last weeks.

If the first round of the Premier league was not exciting enough, this week’s fixtures are sure to provide some mouth-watering battles.

Midfielders Fabian Delph (hamstring) and Fernando (groin) are the only definite absentees while left-back Gael Clichy (ankle) will be assessed.

While Aguero was a substitute, Wilfried Bony was City’s starting striker at the Hawthorns and the former Swansea player’s Ivory Coast teammate Yaya Toure was among their scorers. No one would have forgotten the 6-1 mauling they took at the Britannia Stadium last season – the imperfect farewell to Steven Gerrard. Mourinho once again stole the headlines pointing the finger of blame to his medical staff. The Blues will certainly do better this time around, but in what was seen so far, Mourinho and his men are bound to fall five points behind City and will have to bounce back in the next round.

That win at the Etihad in 2014 would suggest that Mourinho has a blueprint of sorts when it comes to beating Manchester City.