Pep Guardiola has now named four players he is wary of ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
The 53-year-old made the comments when speaking in his press conference earlier on Friday.
Guardiola has every reason to be fearful of Crystal Palace this Saturday, after watching his treble winners somehow throw away a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes remaining in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in December.
Saturday’s clash will arguably mean more to the man from Santpedor – as another slip up would hand Liverpool and Arsenal control in the Premier League title race.
So, which four Crystal Palace players received a mention from Guardiola? Let’s take a look…
Pep Guardiola names four Crystal Palace players who could hurt Manchester City
Well, the reigning UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year singled Ebere Eze, Jordan Ayew, Joachim Andersen and Jean-Philippe Mateta out for praise ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Manchester City’s official website quote Guardiola as saying: “I think Glasner is doing a really good job. The quality is there with Eze, Ayew, Mateta and the other players. Good destructors. Strong defensively with Andersen leading the back five and physicality always was there. Selhurst Park always is difficult, we know that.”
The Spaniard has every reason to be fearful after December’s remarkable comeback.
Specifically, Guardiola is right to single out Mateta.
It was the Frenchman who scored in the 76th minute to make it 2-1 back in December, before his determination saw him win a penalty from Phil Foden in the 95th minute for Michael Olise to equalise.
Since Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson, Mateta has impressively scored three goals in five Premier League appearances, making him one of the best performing strikers in England right now.
Hilariously, the Crystal Palace No.14 is even outdoing Erling Haaland in some areas.
Ebere Eze could switch sides
As aforesaid, Guardiola also mentioned Eze – and Saturday’s clash could be an audition for the England international.
The Independent believe Manchester City are the Crystal Palace No.10’s most likely destination this summer – if he does depart SE25 – with the Citizens said to be huge fans of his talent.
Therefore, if Eze takes the game by the scruff of the neck on Saturday, Guardiola will surely be even more keen to sign him.
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