Manchester City are heading into another crucial Premier League match on Wednesday as they look to pile the pressure back on Arsenal
Pep Guardiola could give Phil Foden another opportunity for Man City this week
Pep Guardiola could give Phil Foden another opportunity for Man City this week(Image: Kate McShane/Getty Images)
View Image
No Manchester City game between now and the end of the season is pointless. The Blues have four matches remaining in the Premier League and FA Cup with history still well within their grasp. Despite being five points behind Arsenal heading into the final three matches of the season, City are not abandoning the league.
However, playing Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday means rotation will be key if City are to finish this season on an incredible high. When asked about his substitutes' performances against Brentford, Pep Guardiola said: "Top. I know it’s not easy for them but I am pretty sure the next games they are going to play.
"I’m going to rotate the team otherwise we cannot arrive at the final or Bournemouth how we want to. Especially for Omar [Marmoush]. It’s not easy because we normally play with one striker and Erling [Haaland] is so important for us. The rate for goals to minutes played is high so it’s very good.
With squad rotation likely against Crystal Palace, MEN Sport has taken a look at four City players who should benefit if Guardiola makes a raft of changes.
Omar Marmoush
After Guardiola's comments post-Brentford, Marmoush seems to be destined for a start against Palace. The Egypt international has an unenviable task competing for his spot with Haaland. City's talisman is levels above nearly every striker in world football and that means Marmoush's playing time was always going to be limited.
Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, he struggled when starting against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final. The forward looked rusty as he squandered numerous chances. However, he impressed at the weekend and took his goal well. Resting Haaland for one of the next two games is possible, as is playing Marmoush alongside the Norwegian. Either way Marmoush benefits.
John Stones
There shouldn't be sentimentality in football. Guardiola has been successful because he has managed to detach his personal feelings from the task of winning matches.
That being said, Stones deserves more than just a non-playing ovation from the Etihad on the final day. He has been a dependable centre-back for the Blues and some of the club's successes would not have been possible without him.
Had injuries not blemished large swathes of his City career, he could have made even more appearances for the Blues. Instead, Wednesday could should be his 294th.
Nico Gonzalez
City went for a midfield partnership of Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders against Brentford but it still lacks the quality of Rodri and Bernardo. Nico struggled against Everton but he should be the natural replacement for Rodri.
With Rodri poised to miss the clash against Palace, City may want to revert back to Nico and allow him an opportunity to rediscover his form. His confidence has been knocked by being Rodri's understudy but we are at a stage where the transition from the Ballon d'Or winner to Nico should have begun. Now's the time to put some faith in him.
Phil Foden
Guardiola claimed Foden was getting back to his old self after the cameo against Brentford. And while it may be too soon to tell if that is the case, the thought of a new contract seems to be stirring him on.
Rayan Cherki made 44 appearances in the entirety of last season for Lyon. This campaign, he has already made 48 matches for City in arguably higher intensity games.
In recent weeks, he has started to look fatigued and it is best for everyone that he gets a chance to recharge the batteries. From Foden's perspective, this could be the opportunity he has been waiting for.