New Delhi: Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park to take on Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace as they look to build up on their dominant win over Nottingham Forest. Pep Guardiola’s side were on a four game losing streak before the 3-0 win over Nottingham that broke their run of losses. Coming up against a struggling Crystal Palace, it gives them a chance to build some momentum once again to try and get back into the title race.
Two of the best players on the pitch for tonight’s visitors, apart from Kevin De Bruyne, were the duo of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku. Grealish, who has been struggling since Manchester City’s treble winning season and hasn’t been able to find form this season as well, was deployed in the midfield by Pep and had his best game of the season. He created three chances, took 77 touches, four in the opposition box and got seven passes into the final third.
Meanwhile, Doku, who played in his regular position was also bossing the game and affected the final scoreline as well, scoring one and assisting another. In addition to that, he garnered 68 touches in the game with 12 coming in the opposition box, completed 67% of his dribbles and created one chance as well. However, after an impressive game from both of them, they were still dropped to the bench for the trip to Selhurst Park, drawing the ire of Manchester City’s fans online.
Why aren’t Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku starting?
Pep Guardiola: “Jack Grealish had some struggles yesterday – Jeremy Doku came back after three or four weeks out with a muscular injury, three days it was too much risk…” pic.twitter.com/lyC8XuUMAz
— City Report (@cityreport_) December 7, 2024
Pep made the highly unpopular decision of dropping them to the bench, which has left the fans scratching their head. The Catalan shed some light on the topic before the kick off and he mentioned that Grealish faced some troubles in training yesterday which led to him being relegated to the bench. He also said that Doku, who’s coming after a three-four week layoff due to a muscular injury and it would’ve been too much of a risk to start the Belgian just three days later.
While it is a cautious move from the Catalan and he’s trying to protect the players from suffering more injuries, it might not be the wisest move to drop your best players at a time when you’re trying to build your confidence up. The decision has already proved to be backfiring on the club as they went behind early on once again to a fourth minute strike from Palace wing-back Daniel Munoz. For the nth time season, Manchester City are behind and are playing catch up.
Both of Manchester City’s wingers have been dropped by Pep Guardiola for the Cityzen’s game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
