It was an afternoon training session for Enzo Maresca and his squad in sunny, if chilly, conditions, with a focus on tactical work in readiness for facing Pep Guardiola’s side.

After a sticky patch, the reigning champions have won three and drawn one of their past four league games, but they did surrender a two-goal advantage in Paris in midweek to lose 4-2 against PSG.

As he looked ahead to the game, Maresca explained why he rejects the idea that now is an especially good time to be facing City.

‘With this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, it is when they want to show how good they are,’ he noted about City.

‘They want to go against everyone saying, “if you think we’re not good enough, we’ll show everyone how good we are”. I don’t think there’s a good moment to play against City, but for sure we are going to try to win tomorrow.’

Maresca confirmed he may be able to call upon Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill again after they missed Monday’s victory against Wolves. Unfortunately, though, Romeo Lavia is set to be out for a while longer.

Cole Palmer featured against Wolves after his own ankle injury, and against his former club, the attacker will be hoping to add to his phenomenal record of 12 goals and 11 assists in his past 26 away Premier League appearances for Chelsea.

We are seeking a first win at the Etihad in almost four years, and a first victory of any kind against Manchester City since that special night in Porto when we won the Champions League. Maresca watched his players train hard today knowing they will have to be at their best to bring that lean streak to an end.

Not long after the training session finished, the Blues began their journey north to Manchester. They’ll be hoping to bring three big points back with them on Saturday evening.