Cesc Fabregas has warned Chelsea they could get ‘eaten alive’ if they decide to go to the Etihad with a defensive tactical plan when they face Manchester City this weekend.

The Blues are 20 points behind leaders, Liverpool and, 18 points behind Man City after 24 Premier League round of matches, having battled for consistency this season.

However, Chelsea go into Saturday’s game off the back of consecutive 3-1 victories against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively, and a win over the reigning champions could see Chelsea move up to seventh on the table.

Cesc Fabregas has warned Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino to avoid thinking of playing defensive football, due to the kind of players he has.

Asked whether Chelsea are likely to go to the Etihad with a defensive plan, former Spain midfielder, Fabregas told the Planet Premier League podcast: “This could be an option. I don’t think they are a team to do that.

“We will see what he comes up with, but definitely if you want to get something out of a game away at Manchester City you need to be brave at the same time.

“I don’t think with the players Chelsea have they can just decide to go deep and play counter-attack because if they do that, maybe they don’t even get the chance to do one.

“I feel that Manchester City eats you alive when you they are in the final third. They have very quick players, resting defence, they keep the ball.”

He continued: “When you have players like Caicedo, like Enzo, like Cole Palmer, they don’t like to be defending the whole game.

“I think they would hate it, they would get frustrated and in the end they would just be giving up.

“They just need to be themselves. Okay, they are not maybe at the level to compete face to face against Manchester City at the moment, but they need to start somewhere.

“I think this is a good chance, especially with the last couple of results they’ve had, to prove their momentum and just have a go at them.”