Community Shield – Chelsea v Manchester City Preview Updated for January 2026

Updated: 15th January 2026

The country may well be in the middle of Olympic fever at the moment, but the football season is sure to bring plenty of excitement once again and the 2012 Community Shield is where it all begins. 

Both teams have ambitions to secure the title of course and with winning a habit, there is no doubt that lifting the Community Shield this weekend would be seen as a positive. Losing it isn't a disaster, far from it, but it will be a competitive contest that both teams want to win.

Focusing on Chelsea to begin with, the first thing you can say about them is that they are European Champions and this is a tag they will want to live up to.

Fresh from winning the Champions League last season, they will of course want to defend their crown, but perhaps more importantly, they want to be in the mix for the Premier League title.

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There is a sense of stability now though with Roberto Di Matteo in permanent charge and the playing squad much happier than this time last year. Didier Drogba may have left, but they have signed some quality players this summer and it is time for a new era at Stamford Bridge.

As for Manchester City, this is a game for them to show why they are still the team to beat. Not too much would be read into it if they lost, but Roberto Mancini will want his players to continue where they left off last season.

With no new players coming in as yet, it seems likely that City will keep faith with the men that won them the title last season, certainly for now. With Carlos Tevez committed to the cause though, this might feel like a new signing for them.

Other reasons to keep a close eye on this match other than it is a battle between two of the best teams in the country is the Chelsea new signings that could be on show. Highly-rated midfielder Eden Hazard could play a part and it will be good to see him make his bow.

Overall, it could be a hugely entertaining afternoon in Birmingham.

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