Pep Guardiola demands patience on two Manchester City midfielders this season | OneFootball

Manchester City fans will need to be patient when it comes to seeing the very best from two of their midfield superstars, Pep Guardiola has urged.

The Catalan coach has been speaking in light of Manchester City’s latest draw in Premier League action, having been held to a 1-1 scoreline at St James’ Park after an Anthony Gordon equaliser from the penalty spot on Saturday afternoon.

It is the third time in the last four matches that Manchester City have been forced to share the points across competitions, with their only victory coming in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

It has led to some City fans questioning whether their midfield options are up to the task, especially given the vital absences of Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri through respective injury problems.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on both Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan in particular, and whether the former is being spoken to by the Catalan tactician over building up his fitness.

“The fitness is playing, but Phil (Foden) doesn’t need time when he’s here (in the mind) clever and fine. It’s not a problem. Not a problem,” Guardiola said. “I know how important is Phil for us, so there is no doubt about that.”

On whether he is now finally ready to start Premier League matches again for the club, the 54-year-old explained, “It doesn’t matter if he starts or comes on from the bench. With this amount of games he will have his minutes, that’s for sure.”

One player who was on the receiving end of criticism following a sub-par performance away to Newcastle on Saturday was Ilkay Gundogan, and Guardiola was quizzed on whether the German requires additional time to get back into the swing of things for the club.

“Yeah, it will take time. He didn’t make a pre-season, and he needs to do the rhythm but he gives you something also special, but of course he will take it.”

Whilst Ilkay Gundogan has returned to Manchester City just one year on from leaving the club, there have been plenty of changes both in terms of playing personnel and staff within the organisation, and minor alterations have been made to playing style in that time, too.

The 33-year-old may also require further time to acclimatise to the speed of Premier League football once again, having excelled in the notably slower-paced Spanish top-flight with Barcelona last campaign.