[Will Warmer]

Hamann puts Blues in right mood for champs
Chris Bailey


NEW City signing Didi Hamann is convinced that the first day of the season is the best to face Chelsea.

The German international, who tasted success against the reigning champions in the red of Liverpool, is adamant that City travel to Stamford Bridge far from the no-hopers the bookies predict even if he doesn't make it because of a foot injury.

Hamann, who arrived in a bizarre transfer from Bolton for whom he never even tried on a shirt, believes it may take time for Jose Mourinho's big money singings and new system to bed itself in and is hoping to catch Chelsea cold on Sunday.
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"It might not be a bad time to play Chelsea given that they have a few new players, virtually all of their squad has played in the World Cup so they have not had much of a pre-season and they have been a long time in America," he said.

"I don't mind playing them first game of the season. We have to play the top sides at some time but I will admit it could have been an easier start to the campaign.

"You need to pick up points everywhere to be successful and probably anything you get at Stamford Bridge is a bonus. But you have to go there at some stage and the advantage is that two of the big guns - Chelsea and then Arsenal - are half out of the way in the opening week.

"City have a decent record against Chelsea. We do not travel there feeling inferior even though we know that they will be strong favourites.

"I remember that two seasons ago City were the only side to beat Chelsea and took four points off them. And last season's matches were pretty close, too. We have got a good bunch of player and we have the belief to compete with Chelsea. Obviously we are unlikely to be able to do that over 38 games but there is no reason at all why we cannot do that for 90 minutes."

Hamann is one of seven new faces in the Blues squad for the season that have cost a mere £1.2m net - not bad for six full internationals and a rising England under-19 star.

Boss Stuart Pearce's strategy has been to bring in more know-how in the belief that established stars are better able to handle the inevitable downs that come during the season.

Balance

He feels he has the right balance of youth and experience though he covets the arrival of a left-sided midfielder.

Ousmane Dabo adds some midfield steel alongside Hamann whiles the goalkeeping squadron has been bolstered by the arrival of Joe Hart from Shrewsbury and Andreas Isaksson, the Sweden No 1, who has arrived from Rennes. Hatem Trabelsi, the veteran Tunisian World Cup defender, will offer additional class down the right of the defence once he has received clearance for his switch from Ajax and everyone knows what old boy Paul Dickov brings to the party and he has shown that already in pre-season.

Bernardo Corradi, the Italian international striker, was perhaps the most surprising capture of the summer but he has impressed immensely during the warm-up games.

A clever runner off the ball after years in Italy and Spain, he also has the ability to hold the ball up and is decent in the air.

Pearce cannot wait to see how his new charges blend now the pre-season games are over.

"I have said since the fixtures came out that going to Chelsea is a great game for us. The players' focus is definitely on the game and has been all through our preparations," said the manager.

"The last two seasons we have had home draws with Fulham and West Brom on the opening weekend which were points dropped from a game at home against opposition you are hoping to beat.

"Chelsea will have had a lot of players away this week on international duty, many of them will have played in the World Cup and we have to hope to catch them on an off day.

"Going there is a massive job for any side and I am even talking about United, Liverpool and Arsenal. We have a huge task but it is a great opening day game.

"I think we are spot on physically and mentally for the game though it will take everyone a while to settle into the rhythm of the season because we have three games in a week and then more than a two week break.

"It is a strange start but you can at least concentrate on this block of three matches.

"I am happy with the way pre-season has gone although I would have been happier with a better first-half performance against Porto. That game was ideal because it sharpened focus."