Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has wasted no time integrating his January signings, with Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov both named in the starting XI for Saturday’s crucial Premier League showdown against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s January Recruitment Drive
Amid an injury crisis that saw City win just one of 13 matches leading up to Boxing Day, Guardiola called for reinforcements in the January transfer window. The club responded by spending £123 million on three players:
- Omar Marmoush (£59m from Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Abdukodir Khusanov (£42m from Lens)
- Vitor Reis (undisclosed fee from Palmeiras)
While Reis started on the bench, Khusanov was thrust straight into action to fill the void left by Ruben Dias, while Marmoush slotted in behind Erling Haaland in the attack.
Guardiola on His New Additions
Guardiola expressed confidence in both players ahead of the match:
- On Khusanov, the Catalan coach said:
“Khusanov has already settled for the fact that he played in the French league, handling tough, quick, fast players. But he doesn’t speak much English, so communication will be one of the situations that we have to deal with.”
- On Marmoush, Guardiola highlighted his fluency in English and his impressive form this season:
“I think he will adapt quickly.”
The Egyptian forward has been in scintillating form, contributing 20 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt before his move.
Notable Team Changes
Kevin De Bruyne, who struggled in City’s midweek Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, was dropped to the bench. Marmoush took his place in the attacking midfield role, adding fresh energy to Guardiola’s lineup.
Guardiola emphasized the importance of the new signings:
“New players can help, of course. They are here for that reason. Again, this could not happen without the amount of circumstances that we had.”
The Stakes Against Chelsea
The match against fourth-placed Chelsea is pivotal in the race for Champions League qualification. With City currently outside the top four, Guardiola will hope his new recruits can make an immediate impact and help the team secure a vital victory.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Marmoush and Khusanov reflects his urgency to address City’s struggles this season. Both players bring fresh qualities to the squad, and their performances against Chelsea could set the tone for the remainder of City’s campaign.
