Pep Guardiola has said that his Manchester City players are already feeling the burn this season – and named two players specifically who are ‘exhausted’.
City have been perfect on the pitch in terms of results so far.
And that has been extremely impressive given the number of absences City have had so far this term.
Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva have all been injured so far.
It has meant that Pep perhaps hasn’t been able to rotate as much as usual.
At least Grealish is back now, and Kovacic is also returning imminently.
On Saturday night, Pep stated that fatigue is already creeping in – and two players are feeling it more than most…
Pep Guardiola names two Manchester City players who are really tired already
Guardiola was speaking about the current injury situation.
And he was also looking ahead to the Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Normally, Pep would probably rotate heavily for such a game.
He may well be forced to turn to a lot of the same faces. But Pep has hinted he could turn to youth on Wednesday.
He said (mancity.com): “Carabao Cup is perfect when you are in the beginning of the season because the games at the beginning of the season you have all the squad, deep squad, for the guys that don’t play regularly, they have to play the minutes. That’s perfect.
“But we have a lot of injuries, I’m not going to waste one percent of energy for Carabao Cup, like Kyle Walker for example, like Ruben [Dias], who have played 90 minutes for the national team, 90 minutes, because they are exhausted already. And we cannot lose it.
“That’s why we’re going to play with the guys who need it, maybe from the Academy, maybe if my back is getting better, [I can play] maybe a few minutes. We’ll see.”
Walker and Dias should be rested on Wednesday
By the sounds of it, Pep is ready to throw in some of the kids against Newcastle.
Walker and Dias could really do with a rest as they have been pretty much ever-presents so far for City. Dias just missed the Premier League opener against Burnley and the Super Cup with Sevilla.
Both are absolutely key players for City.
It would be good if both could sit the game against Newcastle out so they are ready to go again against Wolves on Saturday.
