<!--Article Start--> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Chelsea FC defender Kurt Zouma has said that Sundaya s trip to Manchester City is an ideal opportunity for the Blues to send a message to their title rivals as they seek to defend their Premier league crown</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Chelsea FC comfortably won the league last season with an eight point advantage over Manchester City. However, an opening-day draw against Swansea at home coupled with City's comfortable away win over West Brom means there is already a two point gap between the champions and runners up from last season.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Should Chelsea FC lose against City on Sunday, it will open up a five points gap between the two sides just two weeks into the new season.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Zouma confident of strong performance against City</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Kurt Zouma made only his second Premier League start against Manchester City when the two sides faced each other at Stamford Bridge last January - a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The France international has happy memories from the fixture and was confident of a similar strong showing against City at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">a We know we are playing against a good team on Sunday and it will be difficult, but we have a chance to win. I think it will be a very interesting game,a Zouma told the <a href="https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/08/zouma--pride-and-progress.html">Chelsea FC official website</a>. a Ita s a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">a The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.a </p> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Zouma ready to fill in at leftback</h3> . <p style="text-align: justify">The left-back position seems to have become somewhat troublesome for Chelsea FC; with the departure of Filipe Luis, there is no recognized left-back at the club, with first choice Cesar Azpilicueta a natural right-back deployed on the opposite flank - a role he has occupied for a the past couple of seasons.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/chelsea-fc-target-abdul-baba-rahman-trains-alone-as-blues-move-inches-closer-reactions/">Chelsea FC are heavily linked with a move for Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman</a>, but that move is unlikely to be completed before the clash against Manchester City.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Zouma has stepped up and said that he is prepared to play at left-back should he be asked to do so.</p> <div class="content__article-body from-content-api js-article__body" style="text-align: justify"> a Because Ia m right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it,a Zouma added. a Ita s really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team. a They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself. Ia m feeling very well.a Zouma will be hoping to play some sort of a role as the Stamford Bridge outfit travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City. Knowing Jose Mourinho's inclination to deploy a defensively solid side against top sides away from home, Zouma's involvement in the game cannot be ruled out. </div>