Playing Chelsea in their own backyard for the first game of the season should hold no fears for City, according to Didi Hamann.
The German international, who signed for City during the close season is unfazed by the prospect of visiting the Premiership champions first-up, saying:
“It might not be a bad time to play Chelsea given that they have a few new players, virtually all of their squad has played in the World Cup so they have not had much of a pre-season and they have been a long time in America
“We have to play the top sides at some time though I will admit it could have been an easier start to the campaign.”
City’s defeat at Stamford Bridge came through two Didier Drogba goals, the second shrouded in controversy after the striker clearly handled the ball, but Hamann has done his homework on City’s recent form against the west London club.
“City has a decent record against Chelsea. We do not travel there feeling inferior even though we know that they will be strong favourites. I remember that two years ago City took four points off them. We can match them over 90 minutes.”
