Dilemmas for Pep ahead of Everton clash
INTERNATIONAL BREAK HAS LEFT GUARDIOLA WITH ISSUES TO FACE
FOR City, the international break has been relatively positive, although not without setbacks.
Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish have missed games with injury, and Portugal’s failure to qualify for the World Cup automatically means they will face two intense play-off fixtures in March - just before the most crucial period of the league season - in order to reach Qatar. That means Bernardo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias won’t get a proper rest from February until May.
However, Phil Foden has continued to impress for England, while Raheem Sterling and John Stones put in confidence-boosting performances for the Three Lions.
Aymeric Laporte continued his good form, while Ilkay Gundogan scored three times in 124 minutes for Germany.
Those players will start to return to the City Football Academy ahead of the fixture with Everton on Sunday, and Pep Guardiola will look to get the freshest team possible on the field at the Etihad.
We’ve looked at the state of City’s squad facing Guardiola and the selection dilemmas he will have...
GOALKEEPER DILEMMA
BOTH Ederson and Zack Steffen were involved in their final qualifiers on Wednesday morning UK time and have had a long journey back to Manchester from Argentina and Jamaica respectively.
Both should be ready to face the Toffees. Given their long trips, though, Guardiola may have to decide which is in better condition to start in goal against Everton.
CENTRE-BACK PAIRING?
AFTER Laporte’s red card against Crystal Palace, Stones was recalled againt Club Brugge and then partnered Ruben Dias in the derby as Guardiola used three pairings in his last three games.
On form, Stones and Dias would be favourite to resume their partnership against Everton, but Laporte has shown in the international break why he’s played more this season. Stones did well against Albania, and earned the easiest cap of his career as a late substitute in England’s 10-0 win over San Marino.
Dias helped Portugal get a clean sheet in Ireland, but couldn’t stop Serbia scoring twice and dumping them into the play-offs. Guardiola could be justified in picking any combination of the three.
MANAGING THE MIDFIELD
BERNARDO Silva’s admission that he asked to be substituted an hour into Portugal’s defeat to Serbia, after his manager had confirmed he reported for duty ‘tired’ and with muscle complaints, suggests the midfield dynamo has been feeling the effects of his brilliant start to the season. If he’s not fully fit, he should be rested against Everton, but then Kevin de Bruyne’s own admission that he’s still playing through pain this season is another concern.
Luckily, Ilkay Gundogan’s three goals this week mean he’s an inform option in midfield, but could Guardiola be forced into a reshuffle given Bernardo and De Bruyne’s doubts over their own fitness?
NIGGLES IN ATTACK
GREALISH missed England’s trip to San Marino with a slight injury picked up on a scan, while Sterling didn’t travel for personal reasons. Guardiola will hope to have both available for the Everton game, but he might also have to manage without.
Foden looked bright in his two showings for England, while Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez will have to be assessed following their longer trips back after games on Wednesday. Cole Palmer’s hamstring concern is another issue for City’s medical team to worry about.