Despite the visitors’ Carling Cup home defeat to Newcastle in midweek, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have started the season in sparkling form and Wright-Phillips reckons the Londoners will be hungry to play City after last season’s double loss.
“I don’t think they will be looking to prove a point as they are in great form at the minute,” said SWP. “I’ve no doubt they will be coming looking for revenge and we need to be wary of that.
“We have the players to do it and we have the talent to win, too, so won’t need to sit back and should just go for it.”
Wright-Phillips also added that Chelsea’s impressive 100% start to the campaign – albeit against teams they were expected to beat – is proof his former club are firing on all cylinders in the league.
“You can’t say they’ve not played anybody as good as us,” he said. “There are certain teams that do turn over top teams as has been proved on many occasions, but Chelsea have played really well and had their wits about them.”
While Shaun misses out playing his old club with a foot injury, Pablo Zabaleta is almost certain to take part and the versatile Argentinian is relishing the prospect of facing Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and the like.
“When you play against someone like Chelsea it’s a different game to other matches,” said Zabaleta. “We are at home and will have our supporters behind us, which is an advantage.
I think it will be a good game, as both teams have great players. Last season we had two great matches and, hopefully, we can beat them again
...Pablo Zabaleta
“We have a great chance to go up the table and if we want to stay in the race we need to win these games. We have a number of players out with injury, but I can adapt to different positions.
“I have to be ready, when the manager decides to play me.”
