Pep: Aguero’s are big boots to fill

CITY continue their defence of the FA Cup with a fourth-round clash against Fulham at the Etihad this afternoon.

Here are some key issues facing the Blues this lunchtime.

■ MEETING GUARDIOLA’S CHALLENGE

Pep Guardiola has challenged his City players to prove to him they’ve got what it takes to carry on and move forward next season.

That is easier to do in a Premier League game at Bramall Lane where the locals are baying for blood whenever one of the home players stamps on your ankle than it is when a Championship club from West London rock up to an Etihad

expecting to be entertained in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Champions League game with Real Madrid is on the horizon and every player will be desperate to be in the starting XI for that game at the Bernabeu. It could be performances on stages that are less grand that convince the manager of his selection plans.

■ FODEN TIME STARTS AGAIN

It looked like Phil Foden had turned a corner when he started a n d impressed away at Arsenal in the Premier League. That was one of three consecutive starts – a first in his Blues career – but he was made to wait another three games before he played at home to Everton on New Year’s Day and has started none of the last three league fixtures despite Pep Guardiola talking up how tired his squad are.

In domestic cup competitions against lower-league opposition, Foden has been directly involved in nine goals in eight appearances (six goals, three assists).

Fulham will, in all probability, be his ninth appearance, but what happens beyond that? A League Cup start in the second leg with United should not be beyond the realm of possibility and he will need many more than just two league starts if he is to have any chance of barging into Gareth Southgate’s selection plans for Euro 2020.

The focus will inevitably fall on Foden today, but more significant will be what follows.

■ TIME OFF

Guardiola used the Port Vale FA Cup game to gift Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho some time off amid the busy schedule.

With United in the League Cup and then Tottenham away coming up in the next week, the visit of Fulham is another chance to choose a few players to give time off to. Raheem Sterling looks an ideal candidate given his performance levels have taken a tumble after playing so regularly.

■ NO CHANGE IN PRIORITY

It may not be a full-strength team but it will still be far stronger than it could be.

That could be taken to be a sign that City are prioritising cup competitions knowing that the league is up, but it shouldn’t; Guardiola has never picked a weak team in this tournament and has stressed the importance of building and keeping form ahead of the Champions League.

■ FULHAM FORM

The last time City played Fulham the Cottagers were dropping out of the Premier League but they are enjoying a decent season under Scott Parker’s guidance.

Well-placed in the Championship currently sitting third, they knocked Aston Villa out of the FA Cup in the last round and have just one defeat in their last eight ahead of their trip to the Etihad.