Mauricio Pochettino hails Manchester City as 'the best team in the world' ahead of Stamford Bridge clash

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino labelled Manchester City the “best team in the world” ahead of their visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the Premier League.

City, the reigning champions, are currently top of the table by a point from Tottenham having won nine of 11 games to start this season.

The Argentinian is aware of the size of the task coming up against Pep Guardiola’s side but refused to describe Chelsea as the “underdog” ahead of the clash.

“For me it is the best team, the best coaching staff, the best manager,” Pochettino said. “We need to praise, we need to tell the truth, it is the best or one of the best organisations in the world.

“When you show the results it's because you are doing things top to bottom really well. We need to give credit to all of the organisation.

“It's going to be a challenge, we want to compete against them, I think we are going to try and compete our best, and what we want is three points, they are important for us.”

He added: “Chelsea is never the feeling of the underdog. The feeling always is you are Chelsea. When you say Chelsea it is impossible, the history is there.

“I think we cannot go and say we are the victim on Sunday, we need to go and try to be a protagonist.

“Monday going to Tottenham and finish the game 4-1 showed we have character and talent to compete and fight with the best clubs in England. Now it's about bringing that confidence that will for sure will help us to be more competitive.”

City are going for their fourth straight Premier League crown and sixth in seven years under Guardiola.

Asked if he thought such a spell of dominance was good for the sport, Pochettino added: “It's the reality. I don't know if it's good or bad. They have shown they dominate English football because they deserve [it].

“I don't know if it's good or bad. It's the reality, they are top. They are the team you want to beat, you want to challenge because they are showing great quality.”

Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in 2019 but slumped to a 12th-place finish in the league last season.

The London club haven’t lifted the Premier League since 2017 but Guardiola believes it is only a matter of time before they are challenging once again.

“They're getting better, new club, new players,” Guardiola said. “Sooner than later they'll be a top contender, the quality in all departments is there.

“Chelsea are one of the most important teams in England, they won the CL (Champions League) with [Thomas] Tuchel against us. It's one of the strongest teams, no doubts about that.

“They have good spirit, aggressive, good patterns, it's one of the toughest games we have in the season but still, we go there optimistic.

“We are top of the league right now and we have to try and maintain the quality of the game. But sooner or later Chelsea will be fighting for the title, no doubt about that.”

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