Pundit verdict on behind-the-scenes bust-up at Man City after what he’s seen – ‘Pep’s laying down the law’
Noel Whelan has hailed Pep Guardiola for “laying down the law” to Man City trio Phil Foden, Joao Cancelo, and Kyle Walker but claimed nothing has happened “behind the scenes”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted “no one is bigger” than Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
The trio earned their first starts since the World Cup break against Chelsea on Thursday (5 January), but were all hooked before 60 minutes in an ineffective display.
Two substitutes combined in Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez to give City all three points at Stamford Bridge.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News on 31 December, Guardiola appeared to dig at the out-of-favour trio – insisting “you cannot play good when the body language is not correct”.
City trail league leaders Arsenal atop the Premier League by five points.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Pep sets the benchmark.
“If he sees something, he’s not going to be afraid to change it. He’s laying down the law.
“Why wouldn’t you change it when you have players like Grealish and Mahrez on the bench?
“How can any player complain? The two subs linked up and got the goal – and it was a masterstroke.
“No one is bigger than the manager at Man City, and that’s something which is very rare nowadays.
“I don’t think anything has happened behind the scenes, it was just a case of lacking tempo and lacking sharpness – but they came out in the second half and showed it.
“Foden, Walker, and Cancelo are just not at their best right now – and they’re going to have to bide their time.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Man City set to open talks on “extraordinary” Rico Lewis deal.