Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has provided a fitness update amid their three-way Premier League title race with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool are ahead of Man City by a point but the Reds remain second to Arsenal on goal difference. This weekend could offer some fresh twists in the battle for the title as all three clubs are fresh from European fixtures in midweek. Guardiola's side host Luton Town on Saturday and the manager has responded to recent comments from Man City midfielder Rodri.
Speaking after his side's draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League, Rodri admitted that his performance levels had dipped due to tiredness: "I do need a rest," he said. "I do. Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust. [Rest] is something we are planning, yeah."
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Guardiola was asked about Rodri's request in his pre-match press conference and insisted that he had yet to discuss the issue with the midfielder. Man City are unbeaten in their last 66 games with Rodri on the pitch but Guardiola accepted that he would be willing to rest the Spain international.
"I didn't speak with him but if he needs a rest he will have rest. Or no. I don’t know," Guardiola explained. "More than the physicality, it is a case of Spending mental energy. Playing every three days, three days. Of course he's tired, playing a lot of minutes.
"Rodri is so important for us and we’ll decide [before the match] what we have to do. If a player doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play. Simple. Another one will play. If he’s exhausted, it
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