Manchester City defender Marc Guehi insists that his side’s hectic schedule is 'enjoyable' and 'fun' as the Blues prepare to play their fourth game in 10 days.
Marc Guehi was on press conference duties for Man City ahead of AEK Athens.More Videos
Much like the rest of the European elite, Enzo Maresca’s side have recently been treated to a chaotic run of fixtures that has yielded victories against Liverpool and Ipswich Town, either side of a home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
While Maresca has created history in recent days by becoming the first manager in Premier League history to win his opening seven games at the club, he will be looking to return to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League against AEK Athens on Tuesday.
City beat FC Porto on the opening night of the 2026/27 campaign but lost 4-2 against PSG last Wednesday after Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scored in a ruthless opening 32 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Indeed, AEK present themselves as an easier opponent, but while juggling minutes during a hectic period, Maresca must be careful in his squad selection amid the chance of a huge upset in east Manchester.
Chaotic schedule has been good and enjoyable, says Guehi before AEK Athens match-up
Following Maresca’s pre-match press conference, Guehi was placed ahead of the media and provided his thoughts on the fixture list that City have endured to an impressive degree.
“It’s been good. It’s been enjoyable, to be honest. Not to train, to be honest, but just playing games, which is fun. Loads of games at the moment. Grateful that we’ve been able to get some results, and hopefully it continues,” the Manchester City defender said.
On playing so often with very little rest, Guehi added: “Not a strain, no. I’m grateful to be fit and healthy. It’s not easy to be fit and healthy, especially at this level with all the games. So try to do the best you can, the most you can, and just enjoy every moment.”
How Guehi became a pivotal part of Maresca’s Man City
Guehi joined Manchester City for just £20 million after signing on a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad Stadium in January, and has since made 30 appearances for the club in all competitions.
The centre-back was in the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace when he joined Pep Guardiola’s side, and has shown why he was in demand for a number of seasons before his ultimate exit.
This season, Guehi has only missed one game under Maresca - a 5-0 win against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup - and has started every other game apart from a humbling Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of the campaign.
The 26-year-old’s only goal of the season came against Bournemouth on the opening day of the Premier League season, while providing an assist four games later against Sunderland.
Despite having a hard time on the pitch in his most recent games, it is clear from his selection that Maresca trusts the England international to become one of his most valued players at Manchester City, alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Elliot Anderson.
Whether he will start against AEK on Tuesday remains to be seen, but the game could offer the defender a chance to recover some momentum individually, be it alongside Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov or perhaps Vitor Reis in the centre of defence.