The two heavyweights come head-to-head again at Wembley for the Community Shield on Sunday, with the Blues currently holding an edge over the league champions following their FA Cup win three months ago.

"Football is about evolution," reflected assistant manager Steve Clarke.

"You can't go year on year with the same squad of players because then they grow old and stale together so we have to keep freshening things up and give yourself a chance to challenge for all the trophies again.

"Our squad is stronger than last year. We have better alternatives. Now we can play with a flat 4-4-2.

"Maybe with the diamond last year we were very hard to beat. The manager spoke a lot last year about survival football and the diamond was conducive to playing that way very well. We want to be a little bit more expansive this season.

"We spoke about it during last season, but we didn't have a team to lock it down.

"The boss is very meticulous and likes to make sure everybody understands what we're trying to do. That is why it's best to do it in pre-season."