Chelsea v Man City preview - Selection issues abound but clubs still looking to make a statement

Roberto Mancini and Carlos Tevez: Focused on bringing more success to City this season

The Community Shield traditionally marks the start of the English football season and, while this year's game risks being overshadowed by the London Olympics, this promises to be a fascinating insight into what lies ahead.

Not only is Sunday's clash at Villa Park between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners but Chelsea also double as the champions of Europe and after a summer of spending to make even City's owners wince these two could be the teams contesting major honours come May.

Roberto Di Matteo won trophies - and a permanent deal - by putting his senior professionals centre-stage. But with Didier Drogba gone and young talent such as Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar coming in, now he must oversee the transition that Andre Villas-Boas could not.

If that change goes smoothly then the Blues will expect to close the gap on a Manchester City side that has been strangely subdued in thr transfer market since winning a first league title in 44 years in such sensational circumstances on the final day of last season.

No major signings have been made with the focus instead on new contracts for manager Roberto Mancini and inspirational skipper Vincent Kompany, who is a doubt for the game due to a pre-season calf injury.

After a period of startling upheaval at City, steady growth now appears to be the mantra coming out of the Etihad Stadium and with Carlos Tevez fully rehabilitated that policy could take the club further than they dare hope.

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