Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish are among eight Manchester City players missing from the squad for their Boxing Day clash with Everton.
Walker has been ruled out through illness, whilst Grealish was deemed not fully fit for the match.
The high-profile absences add to Manchester City’s mounting selection concerns, with the Premier League champions facing their most depleted squad of the season.
Both players had featured in City’s previous match at Villa Park, with Grealish in the starting lineup and Walker coming on as a second-half substitute.
Man City news: Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker aren’t in the squad for today’s Premier League clash with Everton
PA
Walker replaced John Stones at half-time, after the defender suffered a recurrence of a foot injury that has troubled him throughout the year.
The duo’s absence has forced manager Pep Guardiola to reshape his defensive line, with Nathan Ake returning to partner Manu Akanji in central defence.
Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol have been deployed as fullbacks, with Stefan Ortega starting in goal.
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Man City news: Jack Grealish hasn’t been deemed fit enough for today’s Premier League showdown with Everton
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City’s squad issues extend beyond Walker and Grealish, with Ederson, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, and Rodri all unavailable.
The depth of the crisis is highlighted by Guardiola naming five academy players among his nine substitutes for the Everton clash.
Goalkeeper Spike Brits earned his first involvement with the first team squad, having participated in the Villa Park warm-up.
Kevin De Bruyne remains on the bench for the second consecutive game, alongside experienced midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
In midfield, Bernardo Silva starts alongside Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic, while Jeremy Doku and Savinho are deployed on the wings with Erling Haaland leading the attack.
Despite the selection challenges, Guardiola remains optimistic about his team’s ability to overcome their current difficulties.
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“I’m so positive in that,” the Spaniard said.
He acknowledged the contrast between expectations and reality this season.
“People at the beginning of the season started saying City are going to win the Premier League in November. The people think its ordinary to win and win when its something extraordinary,” Guardiola explained.
Man City news: Kyle Walker has struggled for consistency ahead of today’s clash with Everton
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The City manager emphasised the importance of learning from every situation.
“Every situation in life you make new experiences and know what you could have done better and what you could do better in the future,” he added.