Copyright Yardbarker
Manchester City have had a host of players miss significant periods of time due to injury this season. Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Rodri, John Stones and Omar Marmoush have all suffered injury ailments this season. As Pep Guardiola’s side trained yesterday what is apparent is that Manchester City’s injury list is dwindling. That is good news for City as competition for spots in the starting lineup is set to ramp up. Only two players failed to train for Manchester City yesterday. The Manchester City squad trained yesterday ahead of their UEFA Champions League league phase fixture against Villarreal. What stood out was that there was only two players who failed to train ahead of tonight’s match at the Estadio de la Ceràmica. Abdukodir Khusanov and Rodri didn’t participate in City’s open training session. Neither player was selected in Manchester City’s travelling squad for tonight’s match. However, Rodri will travel with his teammates to Spain. Nico O’Reilly trained after sustaining a knock during Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Everton last Saturday. Rayan Ait-Nouri also trained after he wasn’t selected in the City squad for their win over Everton. The City squad appears to be in a good position ahead of their next run of fixtures. Manchester City have made a good start to the 25/26 season. After losing two of their first three games in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in their past eight matches. City started that run without a host of players who were out due to injury. Now that the cavalry is returning it is hoped that competition for spots in the City starting eleven can push Pep Guardiola’s side even further. Manchester City face Villarreal tonight and then play Aston Villa, Swansea and Bournemouth in their next three matches following tonight’s match. Each game is a challenge and the opportunity is there for City’s players to make an impression. That is the challenge in front of them now that Pep Guardiola almost a full squad to utilise. Players will have to perform to keep their position, or perform to force their way into the City starting lineup. That is the optimal environment for success and is one that Pep Guardiola is hoping to develop with his new-look team. Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov are the only two players unavailable for Manchester City’s clash with Villarreal. Competition for places in the City squad is brewing and that is exactly what Pep Guardiola wants.
