Chelsea manager Antonio Conte shows great respect for Manchester City

With no midweek fixture this week, there has been a noticeable increase in press interest in the anticipated top of the table clash this coming Saturday between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

Judging from the press there appears to be considerable respect for Guardiola and Conte. Both managers arrived in England this summer with sizeable reputations. The Premier League arguably has the finest managers on the planet and it is refreshing to see the Chelsea manager praising City.

“It’s a big test because Man City are a fantastic team.

“Now we are a different team to two months ago. It would have been very difficult to win the Tottenham game if we were the same team as two months ago.

“I love the mentality of my players, I saw a great attitude and great commitment from all of them. I see the will to change something from the past, now it’s important to continue.”

Saturday’s match is clearly a big game but only a third of the season has been completed so far and as the old adage goes there are only three points on offer. Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reinforces this fact stating the matches against less fancied teams in the next few weeks are equally as important. Courtois appears to be playing down this game to possibly alleviate pressure away from his teammates, claiming: “it’s quite hard to keep a run going.” City fans are more than acquainted with this reality after ten consecutive wins at the start of the season.

As the away team Chelsea could be happy with a draw. Its up to City to raise their performance and put themselves back on top of the table.