MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 18:24:24| >> :120:4714:4714:

Guardiola pleads for patience from fringe Manchester City players

Guardiola pleads for patience from fringe Manchester City players
© Reuters
Competition for places is fierce at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola insists there will be opportunities for all of his Manchester City players over the remainder of the season – if they are patient.

City, who are still in contention for four trophies, currently have close to a full-strength squad.

That means competition for places is fierce, a point illustrated by Guardiola's naming of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup victory over Burnley.

Guardiola has suggested even some of his biggest stars may have to spend time on the bench
Guardiola has warned that even his biggest stars may spend time on the bench (Martin Rickett/PA)

But with a congested fixture list, this is how Guardiola wants it and he says all players must be ready for even the smallest amounts of action.

The City manager said: "When one player plays 20 minutes, I want the best 20 minutes they can play, or if they play five minutes, I want the best five minutes they can play – because we want to get to the late stages, and this maybe will make the difference. Maybe in those five minutes they can help to win something, and that is what I need.

"I try to be generous with them and everyone plays. I could be selfish and say I like just these two players (in this position), and play these two. No, that's not happening with us.

"And after that the guys who play better, or the guys who are more nicer with me and the staff and his mates, they have more chance to play the important games that everyone wants to play. It depends on them and not just me."

Guardiola dreams of bringing more trophies to the Etihad Stadium
Guardiola dreams of bringing more trophies to the Etihad Stadium (Martin Rickett/PA)

Guardiola, whose side resume their Premier League title defence at Newcastle on Tuesday, continues to play down all talk of the quadruple.

But the Spaniard does admit he dreams of bringing the same long-term success to City as that enjoyed by some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

He said: "When I say Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barcelona are the best it is because it doesn't matter what happened before, they go again, and again, and again.

"That is the most difficult thing. Win one night, two nights, one title, two titles – that can happen but that consistency every three days for 11 months, for 10 years, that's what I respect and admire the most.

"That will be my dream in the club, to live something (like that) that in the period that we were together, every single game and every single competition we tried to do that. And so far we have done it."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Hampson, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '34bccfc7-1d2f-4c07-858a-ed8d44abb201');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Guardiola pleads for patience from fringe Manchester City players'});

ID:348164: cacheID:348164:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6866:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sebastian Rudy in action for Schalke in the Europa League on October 24, 2018
Read Next:
Man City 'must pay £35m to sign Rudy'
>
Read more about Pep Guardiola Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!