John Stones concerns, an apology to Kalvin Phillips, Kevin De Bruyne’s future

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Published on 2024-02-19 22:31:00

Manchester City will look to recover from their disappointment against Chelsea and secure a win against Brentford on Tuesday evening. The looming match with Thomas Frank’s men marks Manchester City’s game in hand on their Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. The original contest with Brentford was set for December but had to be rescheduled due to Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup participation.

In their previous encounter, Manchester City and Brentford played to a draw, with Phil Foden’s hat-trick cancelling out Neal Maupay’s first-half goal. However, City’s recent match against Chelsea saw them only manage a late equaliser by Rodri, resulting in a 1-1 draw. This ended their impressive 11-game winning streak.

As City prepares for their upcoming match, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are the only players sidelined due to injuries. Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who were on the bench during the weekend’s game, remain available for selection.

Pep Guardiola addressed the media ahead of the Brentford match, discussing various topics including John Stones’ workload, a conversation he had with Stones in Copenhagen about tactics, and his relationship with the player. Pep also expressed his confidence in the ability of Manuel Akanji, despite his recent injury absence. He emphasized the importance of players being in the right rhythm and the need for everyone to be at their best.

Guardiola also touched on Manchester City’s defensive record, emphasizing the team’s desire to achieve clean sheets while also remaining focused on winning games. He clarified his remarks about Kalvin Phillips’ weight, stating that he regrets the comments and has already apologized to the player. Guardiola also discussed the challenge of incorporating top players such as Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne into the starting lineup.

The coach confirmed that De Bruyne will continue to play in his current position and denied rumors of him moving further back. Guardiola also reflected on his own experiences as a player and his ability to control emotions on the field.

As City prepares for the upcoming match, Guardiola mentioned the importance of staying focused and avoiding unnecessary exchanges on the field. Overall, Manchester City remains focused on securing a victory against Brentford and improving their performance in the upcoming games.

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