Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is relishing the physical battle with Erling Haaland and Chelsea’s center-backs Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva.

Ahead of Thursday’s game, Guardiola has insisted he won’t ask Haaland to calm down on the pitch.

Last week, the Norway striker was entangled in a battle with Everton’s Ben Godfrey.

Haaland was eventually booked in the first half of the 1-1 draw for a heavy challenge on Vitalii Mykolenko.

“Strikers have to handle tough, tough central defenders.

“It’s necessary. [Against Chelsea], he will have a battle with [Kalidou] Koulibaly and Thiago Silva.

“Always it’s a big challenge and that’s why the Premier League is so special,” Guardiola told reporters.