Pep Guardiola needs every Manchester City player ready to start in case he makes a ‘mad’ decision that none of them were expecting. Guardiola is notorious for unexpected team selections and is not planning to change any time soon.
Pep Guardiola said: “I’m a guy who likes to have everyone involved but with Joao for example, he’s playing so well and part of that is how he recovers. He’s a guy who a day after can play another game. His physicality is extraordinary. The other guys need more time. Sometimes we let them rest but everyone has to be ready, they know it. Sometimes I’m mad and take decisions people weren’t thinking, and some who people don’t expect to play play, like Cole Palmer against Everton. Nobody expected it and he played. Everybody has to be ready and it’s good everyone is back because December is really tough with the amount of games. We need everyone fresh to win, win and win again.”
If injuries limited Guardiola’s options from the bench on Wednesday night, there was no drop in quality from the starting XI as Nathan Ake, Aleks Zinchenko and Fernandinho all slotted seamlessly into the side despite a lack of Premier League action so far this season. All three have furthered their case for more starts by proving they are ready to start at any opportunity, and the manager suggested that their performances could have been good karma for their attitude when they are out of the team.
Pep Guardiola said: “Nathan is an example for us, Aleks is, the same with Dinho. All the time, no complaining and training. I said myself we must win this game especially for these guys who don’t play much and they made a really good performance. Normally when you behave like this and you don’t play, always you play good. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the karma, I don’t know but it happens. When you go there, *chef’s kiss*, everything is going well. When you don’t behave like this, sometimes you go there and have to show it and after you play not good. It’s all the time like this.”
