Chelsea Vows to Attack in Upcoming Manchester City Clash, Says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea manager, has made a bold statement ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, promising an attacking approach against the defending champions. The previous encounter between these two sides ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge in November, a match that saw former City player Cole Palmer scoring a crucial penalty in stoppage time, allowing Chelsea to secure a point.

Chelsea's performance has been inconsistent since that game, with the team losing six out of their 12 league fixtures. However, following a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday, Chelsea is now poised to reach a season-high seventh place if they manage to defeat Pep Guardiola's side. Despite the mixed results, Chelsea has shown improvement in their attacking output, scoring three more league goals than they did in the entire last campaign.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of bravery and attacking intent against a formidable Manchester City team that has lost only once at home in the English top flight in nearly two years. "The most important thing we realized is that we need to attack, be able to run and to make the effort all together," Pochettino stated, highlighting the lessons learned from their first encounter.

This match will also mark Cole Palmer's first return to the Etihad since his £40 million move to Chelsea. Palmer, who is currently Chelsea's top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, left City seeking more playing time. Pochettino praised Palmer's impact and dismissed any notion that he has something to prove against his former club.

Regarding team news, Pochettino confirmed that defender Thiago Silva would miss the upcoming game due to a minor injury. However, Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto are available for selection. The choice of goalkeeper remains uncertain, with Robert Sanchez fit for contention after not playing since December. Pochettino kept his cards close to his chest regarding whether Sanchez or Djordje Petrovic would start.

The anticipation for Saturday's game is high, with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the league. Chelsea's approach against a strong Manchester City side will be crucial in determining their success in climbing further up the league table.