Mauricio Pochettino has promised his Chelsea side will attack Manchester City when they travel to the Premier League champions' Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

In November, Chelsea and City drew 4–4 at Stamford Bridge in a memorable match that saw former City player Cole Palmer score a penalty in stoppage time to give the home team a point. 

Since then, Chelsea's fortunes have been mixed, as they have lost half of their 12 league games. However, if they defeat Pep Guardiola's team, they can move to a season-high seventh place, contingent on other outcomes.

"If we go there and wait to see what's going on, it's a team that can dominate you and will make you suffer," the Argentine said on Friday. "The most important thing we realized is that we need to attack, be able to run, and to make the effort all together.


"The most important thing is to go there and be brave, to challenge them."

Palmer will make his Etihad debut on Saturday for the first time since his £40 million ($50 million) move to west London in September. 

 Before making the move, the 21-year-old scored goals for City in their victories over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield, which they lost to Arsenal on penalties this season. 

With 12 goals in all competitions, he leads his new team in scoring and is undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary of co-owner Todd Boehly's £1 billion transfer expenditure. 

 Palmer had previously made it clear that he only joined Chelsea out of concern that he wouldn't receive enough playing time at City.

"He's not the type of player that needs to prove anything," said Pochettino. I think he is very grateful for his period at Manchester City, (but) he left the club because he wanted to find another challenge and to have the possibility to play more.

"Man City have a fantastic squad. (Clubs) make decisions that we think are the best for the team. It doesn't mean someone is not a good player.


"Sometimes the circumstance doesn't match. Players want to leave and you can't stop them because you can't provide the game time."

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola said it was no surprise that Palmer had done so well.

"The stats and the way he is playing, he is already an exceptional player," he said. "He got the minutes he wanted and it was just a question of time -- he has shown his quality."