Kids need to play big part for Guardiola
PEP Guardiola says Manchester City fans will see some unfamiliar names on the bench in the next few weeks.
The Blues have been hit by a Covid outbreak that has seen games postponed. Six players were missing for the win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week.
And it looks like a similar story in the next few weeks as the club gets back on its feet. City have a EFL Cup semi-final derby with Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight.
Several academy players could be called on to fill the bench.
It has been decided that five subs can be used so there’s a chance for a couple of the younger squad members to get some time on the pitch.
The likes of Liam Delap and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were unused subs at the Bridge.
And there was a debut in goal for Zack Steffen who came in when usual No1 Ederson had to selfisolate because of the virus.
Suffering
It didn’t matter as City cruised past a poor Chelsea side to get their title challenge back on the right track after a patch start to the campaign left them in mid-table.
Pep said: “Thank you to all the players in a difficult time with friends, players, and backroom staff suffering with Covid.
“They made a step forward an incredible display at Stamford Bridge against one of the best teams in the Premier League.
“A good result for us to be close to the top of the league.
“Still we are a way behind and now we recover and play in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the next game.”
Guardiola knows his squad will be stretched to the limit.
“I am concerned with playing this amount of games in this period with just 16 players.
“It is difficult to handle in all competitions but we go game by game and will see who is fit.
“If you want to compete in all competitions you need a full squad but we have the second team that have been training with us.
“We know they can help us to solve the problems but of course with this amount of games with just 15, 16, players it will not be possible or it will be more difficult.”