Man City players allay Pep’s fears
MIDFIELDER: EVERYONE READY IF MANAGER NEEDS THEM
Guardiola voices concern, saying they risk burnout.
Manchester City’s players do not appear to share manager Pep Guardiola’s concern about a congested fixture list as they prepare to host Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup today.
Guardiola is worried that City have more matches than they can cope with as they compete for success in four competitions.
His side played nine matches during December and face at least seven during January – if they reach the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, they will have played a minimum of 63 games by the end of the season.
Guardiola said after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Watford, a result that maintained City’s 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League, that English football’s busy Christmas and New Year schedule was “going to kill the players”.
Yet midfielder Fernandinho and goalkeeper Ederson have both said they are happy to be playing so many games, and would gladly face Burnley this weekend, even though their manager is considering changes to keep senior players fresh.
“I spent New Year’s Day at home with my child and my wife and I was fresh,” said Fernandinho. “We will see what Pep is going to do but every player is going to be ready if he needs them to play.”
City have not lost a domestic game since they were knocked out of last season’s FA Cup by Arsenal at the semifinal stage in April.
City remain without striker Gabriel Jesus, who will be absent until February with medial knee ligament damage suffered during the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday, while rightback Kyle Walker is a doubt after limping off against Watford with a groin problem.
Midfielder David Silva has missed several recent matches to be with his young son Mateo, who is seriously ill after being born prematurely.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche has indicated that he will rest several players after seeing their form slip over Christmas and New Year.
Leading scorer Chris Wood and leftback Stephen Ward will be assessed to see if they are over the knee injuries that have kept them out of recent fixtures.
Dyche’s side are without a win in five Premier League matches, although they remain seventh in the table. –