Former Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has backed Chelsea to beat Manchester City this weekend owing to the quality they now possess in attack with the signing of Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea have gotten off to a dominant start in the Premier League this season and look like a force to be reckoned with. The only points they've dropped so far were against Liverpool at Anfield after going down to ten men following a red card to Reece James.
Their biggest issue last season, of course, was their inability to put the ball in the back of the net, with the signing of Timo Werner failing to prove to be a success.
Now, Thomas Tuchel can call upon the services of Romelu Lukaku, one of the most devastating strikers in European football. Despite City scoring five goals or more four times already this season, critics have suggested they lack an elite forward to lead the line after failing to land Harry Kane's signature.
And Nicholas has suggested Lukaku could be the difference come Saturday lunchtime, favouring Chelsea over City to take the three points.
"With Man City, there is still this feeling that there is a lack of a natural number nine, not like what Chelsea have got in Lukaku," Nicholas said on the 'Where's Jeff?' Podcast.
"I still think it will be a cracking game, Man City will make it open, and Chelsea will be quite happy to sit in and counter-attack. I'm going for Chelsea to win this; I think they look absolutely brilliant."
Nicholas' comments are supported by Liverpool legend Phil Thompson, who suggested the injuries that City have sustained in the season's opening weeks that could mean they are not yet ready to face the European champions.
"I'm with you, Charlie. I think City are looking vulnerable because of the injuries what they've got at the moment. I don't think they're ready to take on this Chelsea side and go toe to toe with them," Thompson started.
"Can they dig in defensively and stay in the game? Tuchel has brought something different. He's brought a winning mentality, a 'you do it my way, or you're out of here.'
"The players are tougher mentally and physically. I just think they will have too much for City; this one will set a real marker."
