New signing Ruben Dias could possibly play his first game for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ahead of the Premier League fixture.
Pep Guardiola is still to make a decision whether Ruben Dias should play against Leeds United. The Portuguese defender transferred from Benfica for £62 million this week.
Dias just arrived at Emirates Stadium earlier this week and trained with his new teammates. Simultaneously, City won their Carabao Cup game against Burnley on Thursday.
Guardiola now has tons of options at the back. Aymeric Laporte played his first game of the season at Turf Moor. In addition, John Stones is back in the training and new signing Nathan Ake provides more depth at the back.
The Spaniard cannot afford to lose more points after last week’s disaster vs Leicester City. Subsequently, Guardiola will face his old mentor at Leeds.
Dias is purchased by the club to compensate for recent defensive mistakes. Although, the City supporters will probably have to wait to see the Portuguese center-back in action.
“He trained twice – yesterday and today,” Guardiola told a news conference.
“He’s settled well. He is part of the team, we have a training session this afternoon and then we will decide.”
Updates on injuries.
Guardiola is still missing some of his key players. This includes the prominent strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
Though, Aguero is set to come back in November after recovering from a knee injury. And, Jesus will potentially play against Arsenal on October 17.
“He’s not ready, hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready,” Guardiola said of Jesus. “I think every season he gets better.
“He has to improve in the finishing in the last part of the 18-yard box, to be quicker, sharper, it’s the most difficult position on the pitch but he’s young and he has a desire to improve.
“We are delighted to have him here and I have the feeling every year he’s better than the year before.”
Nevertheless, Guardiola seems to get his players back slowly. Because Laporte and Bernardo Silva played their first minutes after a long time in the EFL Cup.
Ilkay Gundogan will also return after his two weeks of self-isolation. He was tested positive for COVID-19 after a test.
“Today was the first day he came back to the locker room, but he didn’t train with us,” Guardiola added. “He will train with us during the international break and we will see.”
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