This weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Crystal Palace has brought with it some unexpected team selection decisions from manager Pep Guardiola. The most notable of these was the decision to drop Phil Foden to the bench, just days after the young England star scored a superb hat-trick in City’s victory over Aston Villa.
Foden, who has been in excellent form throughout the season, found himself on the bench as Guardiola opted for a different starting lineup against Crystal Palace. This move came as a surprise to many, especially considering Foden’s recent standout performance.
Kevin De Bruyne made his return to the side for the match, while Guardiola also handed a rare start to Oscar Bobb in place of Foden. The decision to leave out Foden was explained by Guardiola, who highlighted the need to manage the workload of his players during a busy season.
Guardiola stated, “It was difficult [to leave Foden on the bench]. It’s always tough but we have a lot of games. Phil played against Arsenal, 96 minutes, and friendly games for the national team, and he couldn’t move. It’s a lot of games and that’s why we decided on that.”
Despite the disappointment for Fantasy Premier League players who had captained Foden in their teams, Guardiola’s decision ultimately revolves around the need to rotate his squad and keep players fresh, particularly ahead of City’s upcoming fixtures.
However, this move has caused controversy among fans and critics alike, with many questioning Guardiola’s decision to bench a player who had just delivered a hat-trick performance. Some FPL players expressed their frustration on social media, highlighting the impact of Guardiola’s last-minute lineup changes on their Fantasy teams.
One FPL player wrote, “Foden puts in an absolute gem of a performance & scores a hat trick midweek & now finds himself benched the following game. No other manager on the planet does that bar Pep.”
Another fan stated, “I captained Foden, Pep be one of annoying guy, like what is wrong with that man ah.”
The decision to bench Foden has sparked debate and divided opinions among football enthusiasts, with many questioning Guardiola’s tactics and rotation policy. As City faced Crystal Palace in the Premier League showdown, all eyes were on how the team would perform without their star player Foden in the starting lineup.
Guardiola’s approach to squad management continues to be a topic of discussion, with his willingness to make bold decisions causing both praise and criticism from fans and pundits. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how Guardiola’s tinkering will impact Manchester City’s quest for silverware.
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