No Champions League football helps Chelsea, says Man City legend

Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee admits that a lack of Champions League football could give rivals Chelsea the upper hand when the Premier League titans meet on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side are currently just one point behind the Londoners in the league, with Chelsea on a seven-game winning run, conceding just once in that time.

The Blues’ form has coincided with Antonio Conte’s switch to a 3-4-3 system, but Summerbee – who made more than 350 appearances for Manchester City in a decade at the club during the 1960s and 1970s – believes playing just one game a week has given them a fitness edge.

And with Chelsea visiting the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off, Summerbee is wary of the ominous-looking Blues.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

“I think we’re talking a little bit prematurely about title races, it’s very early days,” he said.

“But Chelsea have come out and they’re doing very, very well under this new manager.

“What we have to look at as well is that they’re not in the Champions League. From one week to another…when they come into the FA Cup, fair enough, but the Champions League is very demanding and we’re in that.

“It does help a side like Chelsea, with a new manager, to not be in the Champions League and look forward to one game a week to lift the side.

“For us it’s very different, playing game after game after game. Being in the Champions League is fantastic.

“I’m not saying anything against it, but it is an advantage for a side not in the Champions League challenging for a top-four place.”