Mourinho’s Special Ones: Three Chelsea players who will be vital against Manchester City

Chelsea face a real test as they travel to the fortress that is The Etihad on Monday night. Manchester City have won every single home game this season and have been in rampant goal scoring form. City put six past Spurs, six past Arsenal and four past Manchester United. With this in mind, which three Chelsea players will have a key role to play on Monday evening?

Chelsea’s ever present backbone

Ramires

The midfield battle will be an area that Chelsea can’t afford to concede too much space. Ramires’ role will be one to watch, with the Brazilian midfielder capable of lung-bursting runs forward, as well as plugging gaps defensively.

Ramires will have to fulfill the duties of a box-to-box midfielder if Chelsea go for a three man midfield, as well as taking care of his defensive responsibilities. Ramires has won 54 tackles this season and will have to be in combative form if Chelsea are to stop the forward forays of Yaya Toure. Ramires is less physically imposing than the Ivorian, but is equally athletic in terms of pace and stamina and thus should be able to track him up and down the field if required to do so. The Brazilian’ athleticism will be crucial for Chelsea in this area of the park.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard has been Chelsea’s best player this season and has began to be more consistent. Against Liverpool and against Manchester United he was in excellent form, starting to show that he can perform against the best sides. The Belgian was chased by City before he signed for Chelsea and will need to put in an excellent performance for Chelsea.

Hazard will be utilised on the left-flank, with the task of leading the charge for Chelsea on the counter-attack. The wizard has completed 81 take-ons this season so far and his ability to run on the ball versus City will be crucial, particularly his pace on the break as he attacks City’s right hand side.

Hazard is Chelsea’s top goal scorer with nine but he has also created more chances than any other Chelsea player:

Chelsea Top Chance Creators This Season

John Terry

Chelsea’s captain might be getting older but he is still a crucial member of the side. Only Eden Hazard has a higher Performance Score than the Chelsea skipper, who will need to have a great game if Chelsea are to come away from The Etihad with any points. The skipper has been a rock for Chelsea, playing every minute of every league game.

Terry averages nine Defensive Actions per game and wins on average three headers per game, showing his dominance for Chelsea at the back. In a game where Chelsea are going to defend deep, he’ll have lot to do to make sure that nothing gets past him. In Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal Terry was a rock at the back, making nine clearances and winning four headers:

                                                                                                    John Terry Clearances vs Arsenal

Nothing got past Terry in this tie, who was incredibly effective at limiting the number of chances Arsenal were able to have. Chelsea’s number 26?s organisational skills will also be essential as he looks to marshal his defence to get a crucial clean-sheet, as they did away at Arsenal and at Manchester United earlier this season.

Chelsea face a tough battle away at City and if they are to get anything from this game they’ll need John Terry, Eden Hazard and Ramires to be on top of their games, in what could prove to be an early title decider.