EPL: Unfair to drop Stones or Dias, says City's Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says John Stones and Ruben Dias deserve to continue their partnership at the heart of the defence.

Published : Dec 14, 2020 13:20 IST

Pep Guardiola gestures during the EPL contest between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. - AP
Pep Guardiola gestures during the EPL contest between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. - AP
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Pep Guardiola gestures during the EPL contest between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. - AP

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says John Stones and Ruben Dias deserve to continue their partnership at the heart of the defence and called on Aymeric Laporte to keep pushing hard in training to earn his chance.

Dias and Stones put in an assured display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United , City’s third successive clean sheet in the Premier League.

“There are players that if I drop them or they’re not even in the squad it would not be fair to them,” Guardiola told the club’s website. “That’s why sometimes I have to handle the balance of the team.

“Laporte deserves to be in the team but Stones and Dias also deserve to be in the team. They played incredibly well in the last games they did not make a single mistake.

“Laporte will be back. The season is long. What the players have to do is work harder, better ... and the moment will come. When that moment comes, they need to give a good performance.”

'One step at a time'

Guardiola also said Argentine striker Sergio Aguero is nearing full fitness but will not be rushed back into action. “He was fit (for the United game) but not selected. With Sergio, it’s one step at a time,” the Spaniard added.

“He had one week’s training session after four months out. Hopefully, he can come back and train and get as many minutes as soon as possible.”

City, which is ninth with 19 points from 11 games, hosts West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

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