Pep Guardiola says there will be opportunities for all of his Man 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.
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.”
