Pep Guardiola delivers a fitness update on Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola has delivered a positive update on the fitness of Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish ahead of Manchester City‘s Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
The Citizens have strengthened their hopes of winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title after cruising to a 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.
Josko Gvardiol (2), Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were all on the scoresheet to help Man City momentarily climb to the top of the table, but Arsenal‘s 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday has seen them slip back down to second, albeit only one point behind the Gunners who have played a game more.
City’s game in hand will take place at the home of Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham, and ahead of the contest, Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of his squad.
One notable absentee from the Citizens side against Fulham was Grealish, who missed out through illness, while Ake was forced off in the first half with an unspecified injury.
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Guardiola confirms Grealish, Ake injury boost
There were initial concerns that Ake, in particular, would not be fit to recover in time for Wednesday’s trip to Spurs, but Guardiola has since offered a reassuring update on both the defender and Grealish.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Guardiola said: “Jack has recovered from illness. Nathan was much better yesterday, Now we are going to train and we will see if he can train later today.
“[His injury is] not serious, but it’s only three days since last game to tomorrow.”
Ake’s expected return to training comes as a huge boost for the Citizens and suggests he could therefore be in contention to feature in some capacity against Tottenham.
Gvardiol is seemingly set to continue at left-back, though, while Kyle Walker could be recalled at right-back, with Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and John Stones all battling for a place in central defence, if Ake is not deemed fit to start.
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Guardiola eyeing up “exceptional” Premier League achievement
Man City are aware that they will be crowned Premier League champions for the fourth season in a row and for the sixth time in seven seasons if they win their remaining two fixtures against Spurs and West Ham United.
The Citizens have struggled in recent away clashes with Spurs, failing to win or score in any of their previous four visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since its opening in 2019.
Man City were successful in their most recent visit in the FA Cup, though, with Ake scoring the only goal in a 1-0 fourth-round victory in January.
Guardiola has acknowledged the challenges his City side will face on Wednesday, but he believes that his players will be as motivated as ever to end that unwanted league run at Spurs and ensure they remain in the driving seat for the title heading into the final day.
“Many times it happened, we play really good and we were not able to score and win,” said Guardiola. “It’s the chance to do something in this country another team has done it.
“It would be something exceptional (to win four titles in a row). Never happened in the Premier League, we have to do it this time. In front of us we haven’t done it and it’s the time to do it otherwise Arsenal will be champions.”
Man City head into Wednesday’s encounter boasting a 21-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, while Tottenham ended a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 comeback victory over Burnley last weekend.
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