Pep Guardiola plans to rest a number of first-team players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sevilla, giving youngsters and those who are out of favour a chance to impress in the final group game.
Manuel Akanji missed training while John Stones could be rested after playing a full 90 minutes in last week’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund and Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leicester City, so Rico Lewis could be in line for a start at right-back.
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Man City already booked their place in the knockout round of the Champions League as group winners and have a more important Premier League meeting with Fulham to come on Saturday, so Guardiola would prefer to protect his key players rather than risk injury in a game of little significance.
Lewis should benefit if Akanji and Stones are rested, having been in the matchday squad nearly all season. The 17-year-old has made three Premier League appearances and one in the Champions League, so he’s had more than a taste of senior football.
Guardiola rates Lewis highly and has given him opportunities when possible this campaign, so a winnable home game might be the ideal time to start him. Lewis is young and will need experience around him, but he can play knowing the outcome doesn’t matter all that much.
In other news, blow for Pep Guardiola as Manuel Akanji ‘misses training’ ahead of Sevilla clash
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