Manchester City predicted XI vs Chelsea: expected line-up as £42m ace bid to impress in unorthodox position

Manchester City are still searching for their first victory of pre-season

Whether it’s a pre-season friendly or a competitive fixture, one man who knows the importance of winning is Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Last season, the Spainard wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first coach in history to win four consecutive English top division titles and he will be desperate to build on that momentum this time in the 2024/25 campaign.

Pre-season is often a great chance to gain an insight into where a team is mentally and physically heading into a campaign and this game against Chelsea will be particularly prevalent as it comes just 15 days before the team’s face-off for real in the Premier League curtain raiser.

Manchester City have so far lost all of their three pre-season games and will be very keen to correct that against a Chelsea side that have also produced a mixed bag of performances so far.

1. GK: Ederson

Brazil international Ederson should start between the posts as he gains fitness ahead of the new season. 

2. RB: Rico Lewis

Youngster Rico Lewis will gain vital first team minutes as Kyle Walker is rested after Euro 2024 duty. 

3. CB: Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips played as a makeshift centre-back against Barcelona last time out and that could again be the case here against Chelsea.

4. CB: Josko Gvardiol

The Croatian could get the chance to shine at centre back as he builds fitness ahead of the new season.

5. LB: Josh Wilson-Esbrand

England U21 ace Josh Wilson-Esbrand could get the chance to impress at left back.

6. CM: Nico O’Reilly

The England U18 star is tipped to be one to watch in the future. Could get key minutes to make an impression. 

7. CM: Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian could return to the line-up as he pushes to earn a starting spot for the Community Shield. 

8. RM: Oscar Bobb

Showed signs of promise last season and will hope to gain further first team exposure in the new season.

9. CM: James McAtee

The former Sheffield United loanee will want to make an impression ahead of the new season. 

10. LM: Jack Grealish

Will be out to prove a point after missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad. A key chance for him to impress and earn a starting spot for the Community Shield.

11. ST: Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland will hope to build fitness ahead of the new season as he targets a third consecutive golden boot.