Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, two Manchester City wingers, have been challenged by Pep Guardiola to justify their inclusion in his attack.
Grealish played a significant role in City’s treble-winning campaign last year, but the English winger has struggled with injuries this time around.
The former Aston Villa player, who will cost City £100 million in 2021, has just started playing again after observing Belgian rookie Doku succeed without him.
Doku, who was acquired from Rennes in the offseason, presents a different kind of flank threat than Grealish, and some City supporters have demanded that the 21-year-old make his Premier League debut against Wolves on Saturday.
Jeremy is also capable of playing on the right. Who will play more and who will do better, then? On Friday, Guardiola informed reporters.
Phil Foden can also play on the left. They so also face Phil Foden in competition.
“The player who plays better and feels better than the competition will be given more opportunities to participate. It has always been like way.
With six victories in six games, City has gotten off to a fast start in their title defense.
Guardiola’s team is vying for an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, and the Spaniard shrugged at predictions that his team will win easily against a Wolves team that has only collected four points in six games at Molineux.
“Usually, every game we play is ‘simple’; if we don’t win the Premier League in November with a 10-point lead, it’s a tragedy! I’m certain of what it is, he added mockingly.
“(Wolves manager Gary) O’Neil did a fantastic job at Bournemouth, and I have a hunch they will do the same.
“It is a team that have quality. With these next three games, we can hopefully reply before the international break.
This weekend, City will once again be missing John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
Due to a thigh injury, England defender Stones hasn’t played since City’s Community Shield match against Arsenal on August 6.
After being substituted last week in the Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade, Silva has been sidelined.
In addition, Rodri is not playing for City as he serves the second game of a three-game suspension after being dismissed in last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
“Just for the amount of Rodri has played, the consistency – of course, it is not easy to replace,” Guardiola continued.
