Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that five of his players need to be rested during a busy upcoming month. The run includes matches with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, part of nine games in 28 days between international breaks.
City are aiming to maintain their perfect record in the Premier League, build their points tally in the Champions League, and progress in the Carabao Cup when Brighton visit the Etihad at the end of October. Maresca is also looking for opportunities to give some of his key players a break.
Players identified for rest
Erling Haaland was given a few days off after his Norway duties this month, and City will again look to rest him. He was substituted for the final 10 minutes of the win at Anfield, but giving him a whole match off is a luxury the club hopes to manage.
Haaland is not the only player in need of rest. Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Mark Guehi and Ruben Dias have also been marked as needing time off. Captain Dias was taken off at half-time in the defeat to PSG.
Maresca's comments on squad management
“At some point probably we need to give him some rest, some days off. We are thinking about this - not just with Erling,” said Maresca. “Because we have players that, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games for us. And all the games with the international team: Elliot, Enzo, Mark, Erling, Ruben. So at some point probably we need to give them some rest.”
