It is rare that any pundit has any reason to justifiably criticise Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Even if Guardiola’s decisions are met with criticism, he makes a mockery of any such massive claims against him by seemingly always being one step ahead of the rest.
The Manchester City boss makes big decisions that are not everyone’s cup of tea.
But at the end of most of his season as a manager, the Catalan poses with a piece of major silverware in his hands.
As a result, it takes a brave man to go out on a limb and question Pep Guardiola, especially when it comes to managing his team during a league season.
However, questions naturally pile up after a disappointing result.
Steve Nicol accuses Guardiola of being “overly clever” during Man City vs Newcastle
After Manchester City drew 1-1 to Newcastle United, the team has been criticised.
For instance, Janusz Michallik slated Bernardo Silva as he feels the versatile attacker has gone “missing” this season.
City will have to contend with such remarks until they face Fulham at the Etihad Stadium next Saturday.
However, the Premier League champions must be accustomed to such stick at this point.
After all, the Sky Blues traditionally experience hiccups in terms of their form at the start of every season.
Steve Nicol was critical of Pep Guardiola for not starting Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden against Newcastle.
Nicol said via ESPN FC: “I really don’t understand why you wouldn’t play Foden. It doesn’t make any sense. If you’ve got Rodri and you’ve got [Kevin] De Bruyne and you try just quietly and calmly bring Foden back in after the Euros…but that’s not the case.”
“You need somebody in there. You’re telling me you really think that Rico Lewis in there and Foden on the bench is the best way forward against a side who are fine to be in the top four. I don’t understand it, it makes no sense at all.”
The pundit continued: “Every other manager on the planet, when they have Phil Foden fit and they don’t have the two players that are as important as him, you’re straight in, you’re in the team because you need to win games, you can’t be overly clever.”
“He just seems to be being overly clever as far as Foden’s concerned.”
What Pep Guardiola said about not starting Phil Foden
After Manchester City were held to a draw against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola revealed why he did not start the £225,000-a-week man.
The Catalan said via BeanymanSports: “Long time, he was injured, last game, he played was [makes unconvincing sound], I prefer sometimes players have an hour of the impact that 90 minutes, I know strong they are.”
“Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan] is so intelligent in defensive concepts and many things so that’s why. In three days, we have another one, in three days, four days, we have another one so there are games for everyone.”
It seems like Foden’s showing against Watford mid-week did not convince Pep Guardiola that he was sharp enough to start, even if he was fit.
Instead, Guardiola favoured Ilkay Gundogan to the Englishman — a decision that backfired as the German international looked out of his depth as a number 10 and was eventually hooked off with half an hour to spare.
Foden looked like a much bigger threat than the former Barcelona midfielder once he replaced him and he should be in line to start against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old would be itching to become a regular starter again after a slow start to the campaign.
A fit and hungry Foden could be a scary sight for his opponents.
