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From Hat trick to the bench – Manchester City Coach Pep Guardiola explains the reason why Phil Foden was benched against Crystal Palace and the Bet paid off

Phil Foden, originally planned to be a substitute in the match against Crystal Palace, finds himself amidst a busy schedule, yet Pep Guardiola believes that his playing time is being carefully managed. Foden, a pivotal player for Manchester City, has been instrumental in their quest for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Having already participated in 30 games this season, Foden boasts impressive stats with 14 goals and 7 assists to his name, including a remarkable hat-trick against Aston Villa in the recent past. Currently trailing Liverpool by three points and Arsenal by one, City sees the early kickoff against Crystal Palace as an opportunity to gain ground on their rivals.

Despite the significance of the match, Foden will only be able to make an impact from the bench. Guardiola, acknowledging the difficulty of such decisions, emphasized the necessity of managing player fatigue amidst a demanding schedule. He cited Foden’s exhaustive 96-minute display against Arsenal and his subsequent limited involvement in international friendlies as factors influencing the decision.

In Foden’s absence, Kevin de Bruyne will take his place, having had a comparable amount of rest during the midweek fixture. Rio Ferdinand inquired whether Guardiola envisioned fielding both the Belgian and Foden simultaneously in future lineups, to which Guardiola hinted at possibilities but emphasized the need for careful consideration given their upcoming fixtures.

Guardiola reiterated his desire to see Foden on the pitch but emphasized the need for rotation and rest due to the packed schedule. Furthermore, the return of Erling Haaland, John Stones, and Oscar Bobb to the starting lineup marks a tactical adjustment for City, replacing Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, and Manuel Akanji for the clash against Palace.

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