Manchester City continue the bid to defend the Premier League title for the fourth time straight as they host Southampton on Saturday afternoon. The reigning champions come into the game fresh from an emphatic midweek victory in the Champions League over Sparta Praha. They will be without some key players, however, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard has indicated Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are all set to miss the game against Southampton, adding that no date has been set for De Bruyne’s return to the squad.
Guardiola held a pre-match press conference on Friday where he was asked about DE Bruyne and Walker’s availability. He responded, “No, not yet.” Upon further questions on how concerning the Belgian’s absence is, he said, “Yes of course. I’d prefer to have all the squad (fit) with the amount of games, but it is what it is.
“Hopefully he can come back soon. I don’t know (when) yet. I would like to tell you, but I don’t know.”
The playmaker has been sidelined with injury since mid-September. Walker got injured on his knee during the last international break while on national team duty with England while Grealish and Doku joined the club’s infirmary before midweek’s thrashing of Sparta. The gaffer also responded “no” to queries about the duo’s fitness ahead of today’s game.
Away from injuries, the coach touched on the Phil Foden’s resurgence in form after a period of dip. The midfielder opened City’s scoresheet on Wednesday. He attributed his dip in form to a burnout from last season when he won the Premier League Player of the Year Award.
Guardiola stated he was never worried about the Englishman’s form. He said, “I’m not concerned at all about how far it is (a return to top form) because I know when he is fine, he will get it. He’s a natural talent, he will get it.
“The first goal against Sparta Prague, finally with his incredible talent, he solved the game for himself.
“But in a career when you have many, many years, and Phil already has many years, you have these bumps, ups and downs a little bit.
“They are human beings. Be patient. Let them feel that this type of player in these types of moments, that we are there and everything is going well.
“Sooner or later. I’m happy to hear that he feels good because in the end it depends on himself.”
Guardiola’s men would be hoping to go top of the league table today with a win over Southampton. Rivals Liverpool and Arsenal meet tomorrow.
