Community Shield 2018/2019: Seven key battles that could decide the outcome of the match

#5 Riyad Mahrez vs Marcos Alonso

Riyad Mahrez in action for Man City at the ICC

The Algerian international Mahrez is City's record signing following his £60m transfer from Leicester City last month.

The 2016 PFA Player of the Season has impressed in pre-season fixtures so far, and picked up a minor hamstring injury against Bayern Munich, but Pep has given him the green light to feature on Sunday, which will come as good news to the ears of the 27-year-old Algerian international as he seeks to cement his first-team status, and stave off competition from the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane for starting shirts in the wide berths by producing exceptional performances whenever the opportunity arises.

He comes up against 27-year-old Spanish left-back Marcos Alonso, who was a key member of Conte's title-winning campaign, and his attacking forays down Chelsea's left flank means that Riyad Mahrez would have to provide defensive cover for Kyle Walker to nullify the threat posed by Alonso.

However, Alonso is not too defensively sound, and his channel would constantly be targeted by the City attack, with Riyad Mahrez taking every opportunity to cut inside onto his stronger and Alonso's weaker foot for a chance to shoot at goal.