Pep on the move... (©George Wood/Getty Images)
Pep on the move... (©George Wood/Getty Images)

Pep has found a perfect replacement for his injured midfielders - himself!

Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 26.09.23. | 11:32

Some 17 years have passed since his retirement, but the Spaniard is ready to lace up his boots for the Newcastle League Cup tie

He's 52 but could probably still make a few fruitful minutes on the pitch. If it only weren't for that recent back injury.

Most of you probably don't remember how good Pep Guardiola was as a player during his prolific years at Barcelona, Roma and Brescia. And now, faced with Manchester City's growing absentee list, the Spanish gaffer has joked it's time he laces up his boots for the upcoming League Cup tie against Newcastle United.

Captain Kevin de Bruyne is out until January with a hamstring injury, while John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva are all nursing their specific problems.

To make matters worse, Rodri will also be out for three games following his red card against Nottingham Forest.

So Guardiola, who ended his playing career in 2006 at Mexican outfit Dorados, said:

"Some players who've had a lot of minutes are not going to play against Newcastle. 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 League Cup.

"The likes of Kyle [Walker], Ruben [Dias] - playing 90 minutes for us, 90 for the national team, 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!" concluded Guardiola, smiling.


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Manchester CityPep GuardiolaEnglish Premier League

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