Pep Guardiola’s treatment of 22 y/o in Man City’s defeat may be fitness related

Julian Alvarez was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s defeat to Manchester United – a move from Pep Guardiola which seemed strange as Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden all failed to register a shot on target.

But there may have been a fitness reason why Pep opted against bringing him on, as Alvarez had played two full domestic cup games days before Saturday’s Manchester derby. The 22-year-old was given an extended break after the World Cup and needed to be eased back gently.

So with Alvarez playing a full 90 minutes in City’s FA Cup win over Chelsea on January 8 and in their EFL Cup defeat over Southampton on January 11, a three-day rest before the derby wasn’t enough.

The Argentine international has eight goals with two assists from 23 appearances in all competitions this season, but he’s started just three of his 13 Premier League outings.

Despite showing promise and having a good World Cup campaign, Alvarez still isn’t trusted in the top-flight. He’s been an unused substitute in City’s last two league games, playing just seven minutes since early-November, so his omission on Saturday perhaps wasn’t a major shock.

Manchester City releasing ‘public and private statements’ on Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish is being protected by Manchester City through the release of ‘public and private statements’, as some outlets continue to speculate on his long-term future, according to new information.

The City forward has seen a significant upturn in his performances for his club, following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar – offering a much greater return in front of goal in comparison to his form prior to the international tournament.

Since returning to Manchester City in December, Jack Grealish has provided an impressive three assists and one goal in his last five appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side – with his most recent strike coming at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby.

But that early season form, added to the problems seen in his first campaign following a £100 million switch from Aston Villa, lead to whispers over his future in east Manchester, with some sources going as far as to suggest that Grealish could be used in a player swap deal.

However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has been swift to deny such rumours claiming that Grealish could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium – just two years after joining the club from Aston Villa.

“I haven’t heard anything regarding negotiations for Jack Grealish on the player’s, or the club’s side,” Romano said. “It’s January, so it’s too early to think about summer moves.”

It is also further revealed by Fabrizio Romano that the Premier League champions are doing their upmost to protect the player from transfer speculation, as he continued, “City keep protecting him in public and private statements.”

Grealish and his Manchester City teammates, for the time being, will be focussed on the tough task at hand in the Premier League, with the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday afternoon leaving them eight points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side, and their five-point lead over City following the derby, was preserved and capitalised on 24 hours later, as they secured another impressive three points via a 0-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City next take on Antonio Conte’s side on Thursday night, in what will be another must-win match for the reigning Premier League champions, if they are to retain any sort of hope of retaining their top-flight crown once more.

Source: manchestercity.vitalfootball.co.uk; cityxtra.co.uk