**Pep Guardiola**gave his thoughts on the action over the international break for two of his defenders.
**Man City**will be wary about the fatigue in the legs of key players after the injury crisis of the 2024/25 campaign. **Mateo Kovacic**is working his way back to full health after an Achilles surgery, **Rodri**is not fit after an injury against Brentford, and Rayan Ait-Nouri is nursing an ankle issue.
Nico O’Reilly has stepped up from the academy to act as a left back despite being trained as an attacking midfielder. His efforts earned recognition with nomination to be part of the **England**squad under Thomas Tuchel, but the City manager has been adamant that he must keep himself grounded.
Josko Gvardiol has been one of the mainstays in the defensive spine of the side, sliding into central defence after a spell at left back with the Citizens in his first year at the club. Guardiola is happy to use him in both positions, but he hopes to manage his minutes after additional action for Croatia.
“The games he has played are at a higher level. Young players always have to be careful of compliments because being stable mentally is the most important thing in modern football.
“A young player can have a career of 10 or 15 years but it is not possible when your mind is up and down. Nico is a really stable guy and that’s really important, especially going to the England squad with Thomas for the first time.
“Josko’s young. With his physicality but we cannot forget last season he was one of the most important players during the problems we had. After that he suffered it with a problem at the beginning of the season in his knees.
“He’s getting better. His physicality is outstanding, he can play in two roles but form my point of view there is still a big margin to improve as a player. He’s perfectly coachable, a top guy, he listens a lot and he wants to improve and that will help him to be a better player.”