Pep to be careful with returning players ahead of Chelsea | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says the tough festive schedule means he needs to be careful with his team selection for our Premier League clash with Chelsea.

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A traditionally busy period, City have had two tough away trips to Nottingham Forest and Sunderland to navigate.

And the difficult games keep coming with Chelsea the visitors to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for a 17:30 (UK) kick-off – the second of nine matches in January.

There was mixed team news from the New Year’s Day draw at Sunderland with Rodri and Jeremy Doku returning from injury but Savinho was forced off in the second half.

The boss says he will speak with the medical staff ahead of making his selection for the clash with Chelsea.

“In this period to have two games away is so demanding,” Guardiola said.

“You know, Christmas times always happen and it has been a tough two games at Nottingham Forest and [at Sunderland], so yeah, we have to see.

“[There’s] not much time. We’ll see what happened. Rodri is back and Jeremy - both have come from long, long injuries. So we have to be careful.

“[I will] talk with the doctors, with the physios and we will see. We miss Savinho, but yeah, more difficulties and the more stronger we will be.”

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The City boss was full of praise for Rodri after his second-half performance in our 0-0 draw against the Black Cats.

But he is also desperate to avoid any further setbacks for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner after missing most of last season with a knee injury.

Guardiola said the team is always stronger with Rodri in the side, but says he will be careful with his return.

“I would say we have to wait a little bit because he come back from one year and a half,” he said.

“Forwards and backwards and you have to be careful. But of course the schedule is the schedule you have to be but always with Rodri on the pitch we are better.

“So I’m not saying that Nico without him it might not be possible because Kovacic is not there anymore. But for a long time as well.

“And Nico has been outstanding. But Rodri is Rodri you know? We are better and everyone feels better.

“Everybody knows it but we have to be careful, you have to be careful.”

City v Brighton tickets on general sale

We welcome an entertaining Brighton side to the Etihad at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 7 January.

And with tickets now on general sale, you could be there to see it!

Fans can now claim three tickets each, with adults from £30 and concessions as low as £15.

Or make it a night to remember with hospitality packages starting from just £180 per person and a wide range of experiences available to suit your budget.

Kick off the new year in style!