• Premier League

Di Matteo: City are title favourites

ESPN staff
August 13, 2012
Manchester City beat Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday © Getty Images
Enlarge

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has declared that Manchester City are in pole position to claim the Premier League crown this season.

City boss Roberto Mancini said last week he thought his side were "second, third or fourth favourites" in the battle for the title. The Italian has been frustrated by the club's failure to bring in new signings this summer, with Jack Rodwell, who joined on Sunday from Everton, the first arrival.

In contrast, Manchester United have already snared Nick Powell and Shinji Kagawa, and are pushing to snatch Robin van Persie from Arsenal, while Chelsea have splashed out significant sums on the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard.

Nonetheless, Di Matteo, who saw his Chelsea side beaten by City in the Community Shield on Sunday, feels Mancini's men are the ones to beat.

"They are the champions, we have to catch up 25 points from last season. They are favourites, there's no doubt about it," Di Matteo said.

"Manchester United will be chasing City as well, they have a strong squad, I'm not sure if they will make any more signings but they have a strong team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices