Manuel Pellegrini has, as promised, selected several teenagers for today’s FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge, though there is a sprinkling of experience among the starting XI.
First XI and bench:
City XI: Caballero, Zabaleta, Adarabioyo, Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernando, A.Garcia, M.Garcia, Celina, Iheanacho, Faupala
Subs: Hart, Clichy, Humphreys, Kompany, Fernandinho, Barker, Sterling
Debutants’ stiff test:
Manchester-born Tosin Adarabioyo makes his first senior appearance and will have a baptism of fire against the in-form Diego Costa.
He will have the wise heads of Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta and Willy Caballero to help him during the game, while the midfield will be marshalled by Fernando.
Alongside the Brazilian will be Spaniards Manu Garcia and Aleix Garcia - two 18 year-olds who are making their full debuts today, though Manu has a couple of sub appearances under his belt.
Bersant Celina will take the creative lead - like Manu, he’s played a couple of times off the bench and this will be his first senior start.
Tactics:
Given the personnel selected, we expect the Blues to go 4-4-2 today. The manager may opt to bring on Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho or Raheem Sterling depending on the game unfolds - all three are alongside Joe Hart, Cameron Humphreys, Gael Clichy and Brandon Barker on the bench.
Kelechi Iheanacho will be partnered in attack by 19 year-old French striker David Faupala.
Chelsea starting XI:
