Pep Guardiola issues sarcastic response to challenge on ‘small squad’ approach at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued somewhat of a sarcastic response to questions over his ‘small squad’ approach to his Etihad Stadium squad roster.

The Premier League champions are continuing to battle an injury crisis within their first-team squad this season, whilst fatigue and a lack of fitness within those that are available causing selection issues for coaching staff during a busy phase for the club.

A number of first-team stars recovered from their respective issues for the weekend’s away trip to face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, with all of Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku re-emerging from their rehabilitation processes.

However, the boost of returns was also met with additional injury concerns, as both Ruben Dias and John Stones were ruled out of the contest and potentially until after the November international break with a muscular and foot problem respectively.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked whether he may re-evaluate his stance on preferring to work with small squads at Manchester City or in another job, should there be a time when he is hampered by fitness problems as he is at present.

“Yeah, if next season I know that it will be seven or eight injuries, yeah I will say I want more players.

“If I know there will be no injuries, I don’t want it. I don’t like to see players… You know,” Guardiola explained.

He continued, “All I have to do is work with them and say, ‘Guys 24 hours’.

“Sleep every single minute of your life thinking about your profession. It has to be like that.”

And 24 hours is almost the turnaround Manchester City are having in between their matches at present, as a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth will be followed up by a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex in the Premier League.

Before then, the two top-flight contests will be separated by a UEFA Champions League clash against Ruben Amorim’s Sporting side in the Portuguese capital, with Manchester City hoping to make it three wins and one draw from their opening four European fixtures this season.