Chelsea v Man Utd: five key battles
Chelsea host Manchester United on Sunday in a game that sees Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge less than 10 months after he was sacked by the Blues. Here are five possible clashes we think could help decide the outcome.
David Luiz v Zlatan Ibrahimovic
After two seasons as team-mates at Paris St-Germain, Chelsea’s Luiz and United’s Ibrahimovic now face off as rivals. Luiz’s strengths and weaknesses will be well known, of course, to Mourinho – one of six bosses the Brazilian has played for at the Bridge.
N’Golo Kante v Paul Pogba
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is aware of the threat posed by Pogba, who he signed for Juventus in 2012 and coached for two years, winning back-to-back Serie A titles. Pogba rejoined United in an £89.3m deal this summer and on Sunday will come up against a fellow France midfielder in Kante, whose energy and nuisance value will be key in shutting down the world’s most expensive footballer.
Eden Hazard v Antonio Valencia
One area in which Chelsea will hope to have the edge is down the flanks. Conte feels the new 3-4-3 formation allows his attacking players more freedom, and with Marcos Alonso providing back up, Hazard will be released to cause havoc in the left-hand channel. Valencia has performed well this season, though, being nominated alongside Hazard for the August player of the month award – leading to team-mate Ander Herrera calling the converted winger the “best right-back in the world”.
Diego Costa v Chris Smalling
Because of suspension and injuries, Costa had never faced Manchester United until the two sides met in February, when he came up with an injury-time equaliser. He had played against Smalling previously, though, when Spain beat England in a friendly last November, but Costa had been hauled off midway through the second half with the game still at 0-0. Smalling has developed rapidly over the last couple of years, but Costa will still fancy his chances of getting the better of him.
Antonio Conte v Jose Mourinho
They may be two of the top coaches in Europe, but they have only met once before, back in December 2009, when Conte’s Atalanta held Mourinho’s Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw. What reception will Mourinho be given on his return? Can Conte’s 3-4-3 work against one of the league’s stronger sides? Will Jose park the bus, and will Conte have the nous to bypass it?
