Pep Guardiola told to axe three stars ahead of Man City showdown v Chelsea – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Man City to restore Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden to the starting lineup against Chelsea on Thursday (5 January).
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Blues boss Graham Potter will be “fighting for his life” – making the clash a potential banana skin for the Premier League champions.
Walker, Cancelo and Foden have been benched for each of Man City’s two Premier League games since action resumed following the World Cup.
Pep Guardiola paid the price for leaving out some of his most capable stars on Saturday (31 December) as they dropped points at home against Everton – giving Arsenal the chance to go seven points clear.
18-year-old Rico Lewis has been playing at right-back, Nathan Ake at left-back – while Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez have been the preferred winger duo.
Thursday’s opponents Chelsea have won just one of their last eight games across all competitions to heap pressure on Potter.
When asked if Guardiola should shuffle the pack against the Blues, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “100%, all three of Walker, Cancelo, and Foden need to come back into the starting eleven.
“He’s got to change the full-backs and put Foden in for Mahrez.
“Pep’s got to play his strongest side. Man City can’t take this game for granted because Chelsea and Graham Potter will be wound up.
“They’re under pressure and Potter is fighting for his life, so if Man City aren’t at their best – I could see them easily losing this game.”
In other news, pundit “surprised” by Foden development at Man City – “it’s a weird situation”.