A host of Manchester City fringe players could have their moment against Southampton

“But now I have to think because people were tired and come from [spending] energy, a little drained, and physios say, ‘Be careful with that player, that player for historical and potential injury’. If one player is injured now, it’s gone, it’s over. And now I want to have players available for Everton, until the end.”

If City’s squad players start today’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton they must put their best foot forward.

There are two schools of thought in terms of what starting eleven Pep Guardiola should select today. One is that Manchester City should go in with as close to their best eleven as possible. Southampton are in form and are a very good team in their own right. They enter today’s match having won 16 of their past 20 matches and are unbeaten during that time. The Saints will be no pushover at Wembley. Perhaps Pep Guardiola will select the strongest starting eleven he can for today’s FA Cup semi-final.

However, the signs that the starters at Manchester City are fatigued are there. They have just played two big matches against Arsenal and Burnley. At Turf Moor, you could see the signs of fatigue. Perhaps today is the day for those players to be saved in case of emergency. There is also merit to that idea.

Players such as Nathan Ake, John Stones, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic, Nico, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush have barely played of late. They could be given an opportunity to start at Wembley. None of the players mentioned have featured prominently recently, so they will lack match sharpness. However, Pep Guardiola cannot keep relying on the same group of players. The Manchester City manager said why in his statement above. So today may be an opportunity for players who could be unhappy to show what they can offer in the run-in.

Final thoughts.

Pep Guardiola’s statement on the mood of his squad was interesting, to say the least. It is natural for players to be unhappy when they aren’t playing. However, a host of Manchester City’s squad players haven’t made an impression when given the opportunity to play. If they are given that chance against Southampton today, they have to take it. Manchester City and Pep Guardiola need everyone to contribute at some point over the closing stages of this season. Today may be the day for the fringe players to make an impact while City can rest their stars for what lies ahead.