Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is excited to lock horns with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola this weekend.
Pochettino admits they've long had a healthy rivalry.
He said, "It all started when he [Pep] was in Barcelona, I was playing in Espanyol, that makes it special. And I think it is more special because he is one of the best or the best coach in the world. Always it is a challenge to play against him and the team that he is coach.
"We know really well the coaching staff is amazing also. Always it is a fantastic challenge and it is a joy to face a team, a club that is Pep. It's special because of that, no?
"Too many memories, some good memories, some not so good. It's a pleasure and it is going to be really nice to face him in a game like Chelsea City on Sunday. It's going to be nice to be involved in the game, in the UK, in the Premier League and in a place like Stamford Bridge it is fantastic to play."
On Guardiola the player, he continued: "Like a coach, how he was. So clever. The type of player Barcelona loved to have, holding midfielder, very clever.
"It was lucky because he wanted to be a sporting director in Barcelona and then he lose the election. Sporting director or coach for sure."
Asked about City's domination, he added: "It's the reality. I don't know if it's good or bad. They have shown they dominate English football because they deserve. I don't know if it's good or bad. It's the reality, they are top. They are the team you want to beat, you want to challenge because they are showing great quality."