Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic targets confidence boost from early Manchester United clash

 
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Standard Sport24 July 2013

Branislav Ivanovic believes Chelsea's match at Manchester United next month offers the opportunity to inflict a damaging psychological blow in the Barclays Premier League title race.

The August 26 Old Trafford meeting comes amid suggestions Jose Mourinho is playing mind games with new United boss David Moyes and while Chelsea bid to recruit striker Wayne Rooney.

"It's very important for us psychologically to start the season well," said Ivanovic in Jakarta today, ahead of tomorrow's final match of the Blues' Asia tour.

"I think it can give us extra confidence and after that we can play game by game.

"The season is very long. We have to be ready for every challenge."

Asked specifically about the Old Trafford contest, Ivanovic said: "It's very important, more mentally, because it's the beginning of the season.

"That game will not decide who is going to be champions, but it will decide a lot of things about the confidence and about the team."

After six matches against United without a win, the momentum in the fixture has turned in the Blues' favour, with three wins and a draw in the last four matches.

Ivanovic knows, though, that small incidents can prove crucial in such a clash.

"Every game against the big teams is different," he said.

"Small things decide the games. We have to be ready for that."

Ivanovic anticipates the tussle for the title will make the Premier League "one of the toughest Premier Leagues of the last couple of years".

Moyes' United, Chelsea - under Mourinho - and Manchester City all have new managers.

Lucas Piazon, who spent part of last season on loan at Malaga, playing under new City boss Manuel Pellegrini, expects the Chilean to adapt quickly to life at the Etihad Stadium.

"He's a very, very good coach," Piazon said.

"He did a great job last season in Malaga. I think City will come strong for next season, like Chelsea, like all the other teams.

"We can expect a very organised team, to attack well, to defend well.

"It's a challenge for him, but he can handle it."

The 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder is expected to go out on loan again this term and, after experiencing the Primera Division and Champions League football at Malaga, favours a spell in the Premier League.

Piazon, who is one of four Brazilians at Chelsea, said: "Where I want to be is at Chelsea. I came from Brazil to play here.

"Wherever I will be, I will try to do my best to be at the club next season."

Another player targeting a temporary move within the top-flight before returning to Stamford Bridge to challenge for a first-team place is Nathaniel Chalobah, who has impressed Mourinho, who watched the 18-year-old in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Chalobah said: "He (Mourinho) has already told me he likes me and he likes what I'm doing, but he reckons another year out is probably the best decision. A loan is probably the best move at the moment.

"Chelsea's where I want to be. It's probably best to play around the same level, in the same league.

"The Premier League is probably where I'll be looking to go this year.

"It's up to me and up to the club to find a place for me where I can get a chance to play, because I don't want to go to another Premier League team and sit on the bench."

Chalobah favours a midfield role, but has been utilised in the centre of defence under Mourinho in the two pre-season matches thus far.

He is more of a ball-playing centre-half in the mould of his Brazilian team-mate David Luiz, than an all-action one like Chelsea captain John Terry.

"I like going forward and getting involved in the play," Chalobah added.

"I wouldn't say I'm a strong, aggressive defender and intelligent, like John Terry."

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