Manchester City’s matchday squad to take on Chelsea was revealed a short time ago, in the process providing an insight into the Covid-19 situation at the club.
Chelsea host City
Pep Guardiola’s men are set to return to action shortly, in a Premier League meeting with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
City will head into proceedings with their tails up, boasting a 10-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, including wins in their last three.
Such fine form, in turn, means that wins in their two games in hand, starting today, will see the Citizens move to within a point of joint table-toppers Liverpool and Manchester United.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Kyle Walker of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on October 31, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Whilst proceedings on the pitch have been progressing swimmingly for Guardiola and co. of late, however, what has certainly not been is the club’s situation away from the pitch.
City are currently in the midst of a concerning Covid-19 outbreak, the extent of which even saw the Sky Blues’ meeting with Everton postponed earlier this week.
Ahead of their trip to London this evening, meanwhile, word was forthcoming earlier today that the number of positive cases at the Etihad had reached eight:
Just in: #ManCity have had another positive Covid-19 test returned from Friday’s testing – taking the total number at the club to eight. @ManCity were tested again today, with the results expected to arrive tomorrow morning.
[via @SunMartinB]
— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 2, 2021
Mendy in/Torres out
In turn, ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge, widespread attention had centered on the announcement of City’s latest matchday squad.
The Citizens, before today, had revealed the identities of only two of those to have contracted the virus, in the form of Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker.
The recent social media activity of shot-stopper Ederson hinted that the Brazilian was another to have tested positive, though, whilst an official announcement this afternoon saw the name of defender Eric Garcia added to the list.
This left a further pair of players to be confirmed, with it previously revealed that two of the eight to have returned positive tests came in the form of staff members.
And, as outlined above, on the back of City’s squad announcement to face Chelsea a short time ago, it has become clear which other members of Pep Guardiola’s camp are now in self isolation.
Both Benjamin Mendy, who has come under heavy scrutiny for his decision to host a New Year’s Eve party, and Joao Cancelo, who had been rumoured to have picked up Covid, are available for selection this evening.
Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, meanwhile, are thought to be continuing their respective efforts to regain full fitness.
This leaves just young midfielder Tommy Doyle and summer addition Ferran Torres, both of whom now appear likely to have contracted the virus.
🚨 TEAM NEWS! 🚨
XI | Steffen, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), Foden, Bernardo, Sterling.
SUBS | Carson, Aguero, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Delap, Harwood-Bellis, Mbete.
📋 @HaysWorldwide
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/6PyFzdfCjl— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 3, 2021
