Neto completed his move to west London at the weekend (Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The Premier League is back in business with Chelsea taking on defending champions Manchester City in the pick of the action from the opening weekend.
It’s been another summer of change at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca in the dugout with 10 new signings arriving in an increasingly wedged dressing room.
Chelsea’s transfer approach remains under scrutiny and is far from finished with Maresca tasked with picking a side to do battle with the champions this weekend.
Pedro Neto will be hoping to make his debut for the club following his £54million arrival from Wolves with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, formerly one of Maresca’s stars at Leicester, also in line to make his competitive bow.
Reece James will miss the opener with a four-match suspension carried over from last season, having been sent off in Chelsea’s penultimate game of the season against Brighton.
A fresh injury concern adds to his woes with reports suggesting a hamstring issue could rule him out until September.
Conor Gallagher captained the Blues in James’ absence last season but he may have played his last game for the club, ordered to train with the Under-21s while his proposed move to Atletico Madrid hangs in the balance.
Neto hoping to make his debut (Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Nicolas Jackson got his first minutes of pre-season against Inter Milan on Sunday after ankle problems while on international duty with Senegal in the summer.
Axel Disasi was also back among the substitutes that day with Wesley Fofana making his first appearance in over a year.
City meanwhile could be without Rodri for their opener with Spain’s Euro 2024 hero only returning to the club on Wednesday following an extended summer break.
John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden also missed the Community Shield clash with Manchester United with all three back in training this week.
Jack Grealish meanwhile is an injury doubt having missed the game at Wembley with a hamstring issue.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Manchester City
Sanchez, Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson
Predicted Manchester City XI vs Chelsea
Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
Where to watch Chelsea vs Man City? Kick-off time and TV channel
Chelsea vs Man City kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday August 18.
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis
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