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Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the pick of the clash in the new year's Premier League fixtures. Neither side has truly impressed in the 2020-21 Premier League; they are languishing respetively in fifth and eighth places in the standings currently and will be desperate for three points.
The Blues have won just once in their last five games and have droppped out of the top four whereas Pep Guardiola's side have had a stop-start campaign and were recently also ravaged by a spate of COVID-19 cases. As many as five City players tested positive, including Ederson, Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus, and their game against Everton last weekend got postponed.
Ahead of the latest clash between the English giants, let's take a look at the five players from either team who could play a key role in the game.
Note - Manchester City haven't revealed the names of the other two players who have contracted the virus; so players have been chosen based on an assumption that they're fit.
#5 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Goals have not been Manchester City's forte this season; they have netted only 21 times in 14 games, the lowest among any team in the top half of the league standings. However, the one forward who has continued to deliver is Raheem Sterling, as he has led the City charge with aplomb.
With four goals and assists apiece, Sterling has been the most productive player in the Manchester City squad after only Kevin De Bruyne. And Sterling isn't merely making up the numbers; he has had some useful contributions.
He scored winners against Arsenal and Southampton, rescued a point against Leeds United, assisted the only goal in the draw against West Brom and was also involved in both goals against Fulham.
Even though he has still had an underwhelming league season, there's no denying the impact Raheem Sterling has had in the campaign so far, and the player could be eager to get on the scoresheet once again on Sunday.
#4 Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Age is just a number for Thiago Silva, who's had an enormous impact in Chelsea's defence since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain last year.
The evergreen Brazilian, now 36, has marshalled the Blues backline with panache and has exhibited some great defensive nous, making some key blocks and timing his tackles to perfection.
His aerial prowess has been second to none as well; Thiago Silva has won almost 70% of his duels while also scoring two top-flight goals already.
Silva may no longer don the captain's armband, but he's been a stout leader in the Chelsea defense, and his wealth of experience could be crucial in keeping out Manchester City.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The Premier League's Player of the Year last season, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has seemingly continued from where he left of. With seven assists in the ongoing league campaign, he only trailing only Harry Kane in the assists leaderboard.
A creative genius with supreme set-piece ability, the Belgian wizard equalled Thierry Henry's assist record last year with 20. This season, he could claim the record all by himself.
In the corresponding fixture between Manchester City and Chelsea last season, De Bruyne scored a beautiful free-kick. Even though City went down eventually, the Belgian will be looking to repeat the trick and hope for a better outcome this time.
#2 Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)
When the Blues embarked on a spending spree in the summer, acquiring several attacking stars, the future of Tammy Abraham appeared to be up in the air. However, just a few months into the season, all such concerns have been laid to rest.
As new arrivals Timo Werner, Kai Havert, and Hakim Ziyech have all struggled to get going in one way or the other, Abraham has stepped up to the plate and proved his worth to the side, netting six top-flight goals, the most in the squad.
What's more impressive is that he has managed this tally despite starting only eight games; in this period, Chelsea have lost just once! Co-incidence? Not really.
Given his form right now, the 23-year old is likely to start against Manchester City. Even though City's defence has been resolute, conceding the least number of goals at this stage with 12, Abraham could give them plenty to think about.
#1 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Believe it or not, Sergio Aguero hasn't scored a single goal in the Premier League this season. And that's because he has missed a large chunk of the present campaign because of injuries. However, if there's one side against whom Aguero is most likely to break his duck, that could be Chelsea.
The Blues are Aguero's favourite Premier League opponent; the Argentine has netted 15 times against them in his career, the joint-most he has managed against any side, Newcastle United being the other. Aguero's tally against Chelsea includes two hat-tricks too, the most recent one coming in February 2019 when the Sky Blues thumped Chelsea 6-0.
Regardless of his record this season, Sergio Aguero is a player who has always delivered when it has mattered the most, stepping up in the big games to make a significant difference. Chelsea have been forewarned.
