Rafael Benitez has taken charge at Stamford Bridge. However, Mancini, whose side go into the weekend fixtures with a six-point cushion over third-place Chelsea, is not yet ready to count them out of the title race. “I don’t think it is a two-horse race,” said Mancini.

“Because also we are near the top, but it is difficult to say this because the season is long and in February, everything can change. I think Chelsea could win the league.