Pep Guardiola makes disdain for Carabao Cup clear with blunt Man City promise
Pep Guardiola claims he is “not going to waste one per cent of energy” playing his regulars in the Carabao Cup.
Treble-winning Manchester City face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday and Guardiola sees the tie as a chance to rest mainstays like skipper Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias. The City boss is unapologetic about making sweeping changes for the testing trip to the North East and claims he will give game time to his fringe players.
“Some players who’ve had a lot of minutes are not going to play vs Newcastle,” he said. “The Carabao Cup is great for all the guys who don’t play regularly. They can play some minutes and that’s perfect.
“But for the other players, I’m not going to waste one per cent of energy for Carabao Cup. The likes of Kyle, Ruben playing 90 minutes for us, 90 minutes for the national teams, they are exhausted already.
“That’s why we are going to play with the guys who need it, the academy, maybe me - my back is getting better so I might manage a few minutes!”
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Kalvin Phillips hopes to make only his fifth start for City and Guardiola says Mateo Kovacic should also be fit. Kovacic missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest through injury and Guardiola claimed he was due to train yesterday.
“Soon,” he replied when asked when the Croatia midfielder would be back. “He’s going to train with the team I think. Today it was close, but we didn’t take a risk with him. But Sunday he will start to train.”
Rodri of Manchester City is sent off and remonstrates with Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham ForestOne player certain to not appear is midfielder Rodri. The Spanish midfielder is set for a three-match spell on the sidelines after his red card during Saturday's home win vs Forest.
Rodri was involved in an altercation with Morgan Gibbs-White and was dismissed for putting his hands round the England U21 star's throat. Guardiola offered a frank assessment of the incident and warned the veteran midfielder of his responsibilities.
He said: “I said at half-time to the players to be careful, to control themselves but Rodri couldn’t do that. I am angry with him but he apologised after the game. Rodri has to control himself and his emotions.”
And after previously branding him as one of the top midfielders in the world, Guardiola added: “Today he wasn’t one of the best players in the world! I don’t like to play with 10 men.
"I can get a yellow card but Rodri can’t. The trick is to control yourself but I don’t play. Soon I’ll be in the tribune for too many yellow cards.”
Along with missing the game against the Magpies, he will also be forced to watch their visit to Wolves and their early-season showdown with last season's runners-up Arsenal.
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