Pep Guardiola confirms four Manchester City stars will miss Southampton match
Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish will all miss Manchester City’s match against
Southampton, according to manager Guardiola’s confirmation.
After being substituted out of City’s goalless draw with Inter Milan last month due to a groin injury, De Bruyne, the
two-time Premier League Player of the Season, has missed the team’s last seven games across all competitions.
In the meantime, Walker has missed City’s last two games because of a knee injury, and wingers Grealish and Doku
are both sidelined with minor injuries.
It leaves Guardiola with a number of selection dilemmas ahead of the weekend’s contest between second-placed City
and second-bottom Southampton, though the champions are blessed with strength in depth that most other clubs
could only dream of.
Guardiola’s men enter the clash as the overwhelming favourites to secure victory, with 19 points separating the two
teams at this early stage of the 2024/25 campaign.
There had been some hopes that some or all of City’s absentees could be in line to make their returns at the Etihad
but tomorrow’s match comes too soon for the injured quartet.
Asked whether De Bruyne or Walker could be involved, Guardiola told reporters: ‘No, not yet.’
When asked when De Bruyne may return, Guardiola said, “I don’t know.”
Naturally, I would prefer to have every member of the team with the number of games, but it is the reality.
I hope he returns soon, but I’m not sure yet. I don’t know, but I would like to tell you.
The Spaniard gave a direct response when asked if Doku and Grealish will be included: “No.”
Guardiola has a lot of respect for Russell Martin and thinks his opposite number will succeed if he follows his values,
even though Southampton is at a poor place in the table.
“He’ll succeed.” The Catalan said, “When this occurs, you always have success sooner or later.”
“You simply need to make a lot of changes to your thoughts or ideas.” Usually, when you have a change in mind, it’s
not about playing four at the back or five at the back; I’m not asking to change anything. I’m not saying that.
The players will notice if you start to think differently about the outcomes. They will be aware of your lack of faith.
When this occurs, negative outcomes are inevitable. They’re coming, therefore we always end up with negative
outcomes. Wolves, take a look at how hard we worked to win.
They had a terrific time against Brentford, Manchester United for thirty minutes, and Leicester because of their
excellent starts.nts.’
In midweek, City defeated Sparta Prague 5-0, with Phil Foden scoring his second goal of the season across all
competitions.
The England forward, who had “burnout” following a demanding 2023–24 season, claimed after the win that he felt
like he was getting back to his best.
I know he will get it when he’s well, so I’m not worried at all. Guardiola went on, “He’s a natural talent and he will get it.”
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