English Premier League News: Milan rivalry to be renewed in Manchester
Eastlands, the home of Manchester City football club, is expected to stage the biggest test for Manchester City this season as they take on Chelsea at home.
The match up between the two sides recalls two old rivals – Mancini v Ancelotti. The two were in charge of Inter and Milan, respectively, and crossed swords many times over the years.
Manchester City have already dismantled a top four side – they beat Liverpool by three goals to nil even though Liverpool are a shadow of their former selves and aren’t a rampant Chelsea side. Mancini is hoping to break into the
top four this season and his side’s sternest test comes this weekend as City try to halt Ancelotti’s free scoring Chelsea side.
After going out of the League Cup in midweek, the pressure seems to be increasing on Mancini to deliver positives of note. Mancini should be aware of the fact that no excuse will work no matter what side he fields as he has to
produce results lest he be shown the door at Eastlands like his predecessor, Mark Hughes.
Chelsea endured a similar situation to what City are going through at the moment. Abramovich came in and started splashing his millions, but Ranieri couldn’t bring success and was consequently forced out. It was only until Chelsea
found the right manager in Jose Mourinho that success started to arrive.
Chelsea have now established themselves as one of the biggest clubs in world football, in terms of both wealth and success. Man City on the other hand have yet to find the right manager – though Mancini may yet be that man – and
despite the enormous wealth of their owners, they still haven’t won any silverware. Their disappointing exit from the League Cup hasn’t done them any favours in that regard either.
Additionally, Mancini has even come under criticism from his own players who have often gone to the press to air their disagreements with Mancini, or their disappointment at not being in the starting line-ups.
If Mourinho would have been at Manchester City, he would have never tolerated such dissent as Roberto Mancini has been doing with patience. Chelsea’s success was not solely based on financial muscle; it was also Mourinho instilling
the mentality that no one was bigger than the club.
Mancini too should employ a similar approach, and any player who questions the manager’s decisions in public should be punished substantially, or sold. This would make the players realize that the individuals are not bigger than
the goals of a club and they have to make sacrifices for the sake of the team if they are really looking to establish themselves as one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Chelsea have been in sublime form this season, scoring goals left right and centre, whereas City have looked like an unsettled unit for large periods of games. If City are to get anything against Chelsea, they will need to work
together as a unit and stifle Chelsea. If City’s players aren’t willing to die for each other, Chelsea will likely steamroller them with ease.
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