Pep Guardiola said he believes the upcoming World Cup is in the players’ minds.© AFP
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said on Friday he believes the upcoming World Cup is in players’ minds as they try to avoid injury amid a packed schedule for their clubs. Guardiola confirmed that England’s duo of Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are unlikely to play for the Premier League champions again before the World Cup break next month as they battle to pass in time to be selected by Gareth Southgate. Manchester United’s Raphael Varane left the field in tears when the French central defender suffered a muscle injury against Chelsea last week.
Most Premier League clubs playing in Europe are in the middle of a run of 13 games in a maximum of 42 days.
“I’m pretty sure they have one eye on the World Cup,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s trip to Leicester.
“Unfortunately, many players have been injured and will miss the World Cup. It is a big blow to them.
“Now it’s only two or three weeks until the end, so it’s the last try. I always say the best way not to get injured is to be focused and give your maximum in the game. Losing attention is when you’re at risk.”
Erling Haaland will not go to Qatar because Norway failed to qualify, but is suffering from a foot injury.
Haaland emerged from City’s 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund mid-week, but Guardiola declined to confirm whether the Premier League’s top scorer will be fit to beat the Foxes.
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“He’s feeling better,” Guardiola added. “We have training this afternoon and we will assess him in a few hours.”
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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