Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Why City Must Take Friendly with Blues Seriously

Manchester City will take on Chelsea in a friendly before the Barclays Premier League starts. While the match doesn't officially mean much, its outcome could have lasting effects well into the upcoming season.

City will be dealing with injuries, but as is always the case in sports, injuries are no excuse. This club still must come out motivated and the players that must step up in order to fill the voids need to do so.

Chelsea has made some vast improvements to its roster, namely adding some youth as well as some experienced players to its squad. The Blues will be much improved this year and almost certainly won't repeat their sixth-place finish from last season.

City, on the other hand, is expected to once again do big things this year. As reigning champions, it's expected this club will be competing for another Premier League crown and could very well see Chelsea somewhere down the road when it matters most.

It is of vital importance that Man City takes this match seriously.

Chelsea is aiming high this year as a result of the moves it made in the offseason. For the Blues, this will be a measuring stick match for the club and beating a club like City will give them a ton of confidence moving forward.

That being said, if City wants to leave any shred of doubt in the minds of its opponents, winning this friendly while short-handed will do just that. Winning this match convincingly will hurt the spirit and confidence of Chelsea and it will be a huge mental victory for City.

The Blues will doubt they can hang with the elite club and City could leave further doubt in Chelsea's mind about the moves it has made.

Sure, you can't shake the more experienced players, but the younger players on Chelsea's club will have their egos smashed and doubt about their abilities to beat a tough club will run rampid.

If City wants to continue its success and knock the Blues down a peg, stopping a young, up-and-coming club like Chelsea will go a long way in doing just that.