<p><br /> Roberto Mancini has already conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mancini's Manchester City side tackle the champions at Eastlands on Saturday with a patched-up side containing just three fully-fit senior defenders.<br /> </p><p><br /> It is hardly the backdrop he wanted heading into one of the key games of the campaign, and not one that was anticipated when City were spending in excess of £100 million this summer.<br /> </p><p><br /> However, according to Mancini, the result will not change where the championship ends up this season.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League at the moment," he said.<br /> </p><p><br /> "They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily."<br /> </p><p><br /> He added: "They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years.<br /> </p><p><br /> "They have a fantastic manager and they have worked to reach this situation."<br /> </p><p><br /> Chelsea certainly could not have started the season in better form and have registered a perfect 15 points from their opening five games, scoring a hatful of goals in the process.<br /> </p><p><br /> Now City must try to keep them out with a side that has been decimated.<br /> </p><p><br /> Micah Richards has definitely been ruled out with a hamstring strain, so with Pablo Zabaleta earmarked for the right-back role, Mancini only has youngster Dedryck Boyata, plus midfielders Gareth Barry and James Milner available to fill the left-back slot if neither Joleon Lescott or Jerome Boateng are deemed to be fit enough.<br /> </p>
