Hughes is confident that his players can cope with the presure and focus on the club.
“A game against Chelsea, or any of the top four, is always a game of huge interest and, from our point of view, the only difference is there is more attention on ourselves which maybe in the past has been centred on the opposition when you go up against the top four,” said Hughes on Sky Sports News.
“Now, actually, there is a lot of focus coming to our doorstep and that is something we will have to deal with.
“I don’t sense there is any apprehension about that. I think there’s a real sense that this club is going places and that is the message we are trying to get out and we’re going to enjoy it.”
He added: “I think it’s a fantastic time for everybody in the city and there is a real focus now on what we’re trying to do here.
“I think I mentioned when I got this job that one of the main reasons I came here was the anticipation leading into games two, three or four days beforehand and going up against top quality players.
“I missed that. I had it as a player and, to a certain extent, with Wales, but at club level I never really had that.
“It was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come to a bigger club. Certainly at the weekend that will be borne out as a lot of focus will be on the game.”
