Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that Erling Haaland could be rested for Wednesday’s League Cup fourth-round clash at Championship side Swansea City, while midfielder Rodri remains sidelined.
Haaland, who failed to score for the first time in 13 matches for club and country during Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Aston Villa, hit the post late in the game. “Erling, I haven’t seen him today but it was a knock and day by day it is better,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “We will train this afternoon to see how he feels and decide if he can play. This is a game where we could rest Erling.”
Rodri, who has not played since a hamstring injury at Brentford before the October international break, continues to recover from a major knee injury sustained 13 months ago. “Rodri is getting better, training with us,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know when he will be available, hopefully soon but not yet.”
City, four-time League Cup winners under Guardiola, are expected to rotate heavily for the trip to South Wales amid a congested fixture schedule.
While favourites against 13th-placed Swansea, Guardiola insists no team is taken lightly. “Teams from lower divisions we have always taken seriously; otherwise we wouldn’t have had the success we’ve had in the past,” he said. “We prepare the same way, with incredible focus, sometimes even more.”
Guardiola also commented on Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled for playing time this season. The midfielder has only featured in City’s 2-0 third-round win over Huddersfield Town. “He is a player for the team, the squad. He trains with us, we treat him like any other player. Whether he plays or not is my decision. He is always an unbelievable guy and a joy to have in the locker room,” Guardiola added.
