Richard Dunne hailed Chelsea's resurgence under Thomas Tuchel but warned both of their recent wins over Manchester City have come against understrength sides.
Chelsea put City's Premier League title celebrations on hold with a 2-1 success at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, four weeks after ending their quadruple hopes with victory in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Pep Guardiola made nine changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's match, with Kevin De Bruyne dropping out of the matchday squad, and Dunne is backing a full-strength Manchester City to prevail when the teams meet again in the Champions League final on May 29.
The former City defender told Sky Sports News: "The way Chelsea have performed since Tuchel came in has been brilliant.
"They've looked really solid and dangerous. They look like a side that is certainly going to challenge for the Premier League next season, but also have sights on winning big trophies this year.
"City have found it difficult to find a way past them but they've not quite put out their best XI to face them yet.
"Come the Champions League final, you'll see all the players you'd expect to see in the Man City starting line-up. It'll be a different occasion.
"I still believe that when City put out their best XI, they're the best side in Europe."
Despite Saturday's setback, Manchester City remain on course for a third Premier League title in four seasons and Dunne says a maiden Champions League could spark a period of European dominance.
"It's a huge opportunity," said Dunne, who made 352 appearances for City.
"We all know Manchester City is a big club and they have performed amazingly over the past 10 years. They've won leagues, FA Cups and League Cups, getting this Champions League would really put them on the map in Europe.
"People look at the history of clubs and Manchester City have a recent history that's really impressive. They need to start building that European pedigree. If they can get a Champions League title they'll be on their way.
"They have the squad, the set-up, everything to potentially be a dominating team in European competition for a while to come.
"Chelsea have had their way twice. On the night City will be ready, prepared and they'll win the game. Not comfortably but hopefully they'll win."
Austinpowers
529
How sweet π BREAKING: Chelsea have won the Womenβs Super League for the fourth time. π 2015 π 2018 π 2020 π 2021 Back-to-back league titles for Emma Hayes. Never scroll down without no appreciating this Great Women !
Rahabimtuy
501
when will you start believing Chelsea can beat any team , Chelsea faced real Madrid , athletico, Liverpool, with rotated squad and not just Bea them they dominated them. the de bruyne you were talking about played in FA cup semi final, foden played even Mahrez and still unabke to score chelsea, and yesterday they brought in foden70, okay gundogan70, and zinchenko they all did nothing it high time u stop underestimating Chelsea and put on the garment of fear π€£π€£
Danke
429
My team Chelsea has got Mendy, Christensen, Alonso, Rudiger, Ceaser, Reece James,Zouma, Ben Chiwell, Kante, Gilmore, Mount, Joginho, Ziyech, Haverzt, Wener, Odoi & Pulisic. I want City to bring their best team that will beat this Tuchel team. Please don't bring us your excuses bring your best team ever. For me I believe my team Chelsea will win this and nothing is going to change that. KTBFFH πππ
Takcmnoyz
425
Thatβs exactly the same analysis when Chelsea draw with Real Madrid in Spain. β Ramos this Ramos thatβ. When Ramos played, what happened? All u haters will be shamed on May 29th. Chelsea all the way.
emabkr42
423
I love this memorable match.
CHEMISTRY_OF_SPORT
409
Man City won't beat Chelsea, Chelsea is a very solid team right now
zameinrsz
354
What a load of wubbish!... What's all the talk about Chelsea yet to face city's strongest XI, I must say I'm really disappointed at Richard Dunne's comments. it's so unbelievable considering the nature of football games. First of all there's no such crap as a "strongest XI" there's no manager in the history of football that has ever told his attackers to not score if they have the chance...Every player Pep Guardiola fielded against Chelsea at both meetings all have the ability to cause serious damage to opponents. But yet again, like since the first match against Athletico Madrid Chelsea were highly underrated! Case closed
BenChillwell
324
Man city strong squad ? Continue fooling them , will love this Joke π
AbrahamEllie
316
Give me their strongest team. Am waiting πππ
masceopr
292
*GUARDIOLA TEAM B vs CHELSEA TEAM Aπ* Ederson(β¬40m) Dias(β¬68m) Laporte(β¬65m) Ake(β¬45.30) Cancelo(β¬65m) Rodri(62.70m) Torres(β¬23m) Mendy(β¬57.50m) Sterling(63.70m) Aguero(β¬40m) Jesus(β¬32m) *TOTAL=β¬562.20* Mendy(β¬24m) Azpili(β¬8.80) Christensen( academy,free) Rudiger(β¬35m) James(academy, free) Gilmour(academy, Free) Kante(β¬35.80m) Alonso(β¬23m) Ziyech(β¬40m) Pulisic(β¬64m) Werner(β¬53m) *TOTAL=β¬283.6*
9jaboy
214
The strength of Chelsea is their backline, they're very solid in Defense and they've got some gems up front with the likes of Mount, Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech and Harvetz. I see them winning the champions league
alexddahn
13
I love this memorable match.
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Aziff2020
10
trust Chelsea fans, wen the team wins a match they always believe they are the best, but you should count yourself lucky that aguero missed that penalty cos if not u could have conceded like 4 to 5 goals. anyway we shall see the outcome on 29th in Instabul.
Is it the first time for a team to lose when they miss a penalty? is missing a penalty not part of football? I have never seen such a dumb speech from a Barcelona fan like this one