View From A Blue

Manuel Pellegrini has stated that he has a fully-fit squad from which to choose for this clash with Burnley, although Wednesday’s encounter with Barcelona may well come into the manager’s thinking. Pablo Zabaleta is likely to start both games, whilst with Gael Clichy suspended in midweek, he should be nailed on to start on Saturday. [...]

Bacary Sagna was a decent bet to start against Barcelona and Liverpool when defensive solidity was the order of the day, but in a game when attacking thrust will be needed from wide, Pablo Zabaleta should get the nod. Likewise on the left, Aleks Kolarov was surprisingly selected at the weekend at Anfield, with Gael [...]

Bacary Sagna could replace Pablo Zabaleta on the right of defence if Manuel Pellegrini wants to inject some fresh legs into his side. Martin Demichelis should again see off competition from Eliaquim Mangala at the heart of the back four, with Gael Clichy and Aleks Kolarov vying for a spot on the left. Back Sergio [...]

The main selection dilemma for Manuel Pellegrini is whether he opts for Pablo Zabaleta or Bacary Sagna at right back. The Argentine is far superior going forward, but Sagna has the edge defensively and, crucially, got the nod against twice against Franck Ribery and then Eden Hazard, attackers whose styles of play are similar to [...]

Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are vying for a starting position at right-back, with much depending on Manuel Pellegrini’s selection plans against Barcelona on Tuesday. Eliaquim Mangala and Aleks Kolarov are expected to get the nod for Saturday, with Martin Demichelis and Gael Clichy likely to return for the Champions League tie. Yaya Touré is [...]