Schalke centre-back Matija Nastasic, who signed for the Bundesliga club on a permanent basis from the English defending champions earlier on in midweek, has publicly stated that his former club City can still beat Chelsea to this season's Premier League title, despite being five points behind their league rivals.
Nastasic, 21, made 51 club appearances for The Citzens following his 2012 move from Serie A side Fiorentina for a reported £9million pounds, before injury problems struck and the youngster found himself struggling to get into the side's first-team plans. His Schalke move was originally a season-long loan deal, but it is believed that he had signed a permanent contract on Wednesday until the summer of 2019.
He had the following to say, when questioned by the media: "Chelsea have a five-point advantage ahead of my ex-club Man City and one match in hand, so it could be plus eight. But, if I am not wrong, Man City had eight points less than Man United a few years ago and won the title in the last round, so everything is possible in the Premier League."
On his new manager Roberto di Matteo at Schalke: "I know Di Matteo insisted on my arrival, but what I am about to say doesn't have anything to do with the fact he wanted me. His Champions League title with Chelsea [in 2012] shows that he is a great expert, and he is also a great tactician and pedagogue, who stands for what he believes in.
With him, Schalke have got discipline and toughness, and we all know what we are supposed to do - at the same time he insists on strength in defence and attacking style. He loves to talk to players, always giving advice on what to improve and how, which means a lot to us young players. What more do I have to say? Just take a look how Schalke has done against Real Madrid last season, and compare it to this season's clash with Los Blancos!"