Pep Guardiola has sarcastically reacted to the Carabao Cup scheduling ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea.
The upcoming World Cup has led to unprecedented congestion in the English calendar, with the Carabao Cup’s third round squeezed in this week ahead of the break for Qatar.
City take on Chelsea on Wednesday evening and Guardiola hinted at his pre-match press conference that there could be rotation as his team face the west Londoners at the Etihad.
“We have not decided on the squad yet because we have training this afternoon and we have time until tomorrow night to prepare the team to win the game, to do our performance as good as possible. This is the approach.”
Those that win this week will play their fourth round fixtures in the week before Christmas, just days after the World Cup final in Qatar which is scheduled for December 18th. Asked about the scheduling for the next round of the competition, Guardiola gave a sarcastic reply:
“The Premier League have done this to support the academy so it’s a good idea. Always thinking for the future of English football.”
🗣️ “The Premier League does this to support the academy, it’s a good idea.”
Pep Guardiola says the Premier League putting the next tie of the Carabao Cup in the calendar is to encourage youth player involvement. 👶 pic.twitter.com/a7n4wV8zBE
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 8, 2022
Guardiola also provided an update on Erling Haaland, who returned from injury to score a late winner against Fulham last weekend. The Spaniard insists that Haaland is still not at full fitness however, and says the forward will be monitored ahead of the Chelsea clash.
“He is still not perfect. We will see tomorrow and on Saturday. He is getting better,” he said.
“What’s important is the bone is not broken so there’s no damage, just the ligament is damaged a little bit. It’s not perfect right now, but in one week or 10 days anything can happen – it can change.”
Should Haaland be deemed fit, he could represent Norway in two friendly fixtures later this month. The national side are scheduled to face Ireland and Finland, but Guardiola insists he has no problem with the 22-year-old representing his country.
“If he feels good. To play for the national team is important for the players. I have no problem for players to when they are fit to play for the national team.”
