Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made no secret of the fact he prefers to operate with a small playing squad.
Guardiola has publicly stated that he likes to work with a tight-knit squad, preferring to sign versatile players who can be deployed in several different positions.
However, with the demands on footballers being higher than ever, smaller squads are more vulnerable when injuries, suspension and fatigue take their toll.
Manchester City have been plagued by such problems this season, with Rodri’s ACL injury having been particularly detrimental to their campaign.
However, a combination of winter signings, academy graduates stepping up and some injury returns means there’s some strength in depth at Guardiola’s disposal.
That said, the City manager says this can lead to a situation he has described as “awful” and “terrible”.
Pep Guardiola says having to drop Manchester City players from matchday squad is ‘terrible’
Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference., has spoken of how he will have to leave some players out of his matchday squad for the trip to Everton.
This is something that frustrates him greatly, because he feels his players will end up feeling like they’re being deprived of their ability to do their job.
“I don’t like a big squad and now one or two players cannot even travel to Goodison Park,” he told the club’s media team.
“That is terrible. It’s awful. It makes no sense for those players.
“Not even go to the bench, stay at home. They go home and say ‘what am I doing here?’ They cannot do their job.”
Manchester City team news v Everton
City have been boosted by the return of Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji to training this week.
Foden was injured in the Manchester derby and missed the win over Crystal Palace, while Akanji has been out since February.
In addition, Oscar Bobb is available again and could now be ready to start after making substitute outings in the home wins against Leicester City and Palace.
However, goalkeeper Ederson will be absent after aggravating a muscle injury against Oliver Glasner’s side last time out.
Ederson joins Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Erling Haaland on the City sidelines.
Manchester City News has predicted who could make Guardiola’s starting XI for City’s trip to Everton.
