Carlo Ancelotti has played down suggestions from Roberto Mancini that Chelsea have already won the title.
Blues boss not being drawn into mind games ahead of big game
Carlo Ancelotti has played down suggestions from Roberto Mancini that Chelsea have already won the title ahead of their clash at Eastlands.
Chelsea have made a rampant start to the campaign by racking up five straight wins and are four points ahead of nearest rivals Arsenal in second place.
But Ancelotti is refusing to get draw into any psychological warfare with his Italian counterpart ahead of their eagerly anticipated clash on Saturday, which is live on
Sky Sports HD2 and Sky 3D.
Agree
"I agree with him," said Ancelotti. "It's not a mind game, I know him very well and so he knows us very well. He knows our ability.
"You have to build a mentality of a team. He doesn't have an easy job, he is doing his best. I hope the club appreciate it.
"He's very competitive manager because he has experience, he has ability to read the game.
"It's a very good relationship; we were team-mates in the national team in the past. I met him two months ago in Manchester, the relationship is very good.
"Every game is easy after you win 6-0. You can say it was easy then. Before every game it is difficult.
"We started the season well but now we have another game, a different opponent and City are a strong team; they have a lot of players with a lot of skills.
"We have to prepare for the game well and do our best to play our football for 90 minutes."
City were able to claim a memorable double over the champions last term with a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge and a 2-1 triumph at Eastlands.
Ancelotti, though, is unperturbed by that record and has called for observers to judge this team, rather than last term's.
Judge
He added: "That was the past. I think it was a difficult moment for us when we lost at home but now its different story.
"If you want to judge my team we have more confidence compared to last year, we are in a good moment. I think we can do better compared to last time.
"City has a possibility to win the title. They didn't start so well this Premier League but they have a possibility. They have to come back to first place in the table.
"Carlos Tevez is the most dangerous player of Man City. He has quality, he has power, and he has a very good mentality. I appreciate his kind of play and we need to pay attention."
After loosing 4-3 to Newcastle in midweek in the Carling Cup, Ancelotti is confident that result will have no bearing on the game.
"This is a different story," explained the former AC Milan coach. "The Premier League is our priority along with the Champions League. I have a lot of confidence in my players for the City game."
