Pep Guardiola names Chelsea’s key advantage over Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal Chris Davie Chris Davie

Pep Guardiola has highlighted that Chelsea’s extensive squad has given them a significant edge over Manchester City this season. Currently, Manchester City sits fifth in the Premier League standings as they prepare to face Manchester United in Sunday’s derby. They trail leaders Liverpool, who secured a 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday, by nine points.

City is enduring one of the most challenging periods under Guardiola’s leadership, with just a single victory in their last 10 matches across all competitions. During this time, they have suffered seven losses. Adding to their struggles, City is grappling with the absence of Rodri, whose commanding presence in midfield has been sorely missed. The Spanish Euro 2024 champion is expected to miss the majority of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is thriving under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, having secured victories in their last six matches across all competitions. Their ability to effectively utilize the depth of their squad has been instrumental, particularly in managing their Conference League commitments. Maresca’s strategic squad rotations have allowed key players like Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, and Cole Palmer to remain fresh for Premier League fixtures.

Guardiola has expressed admiration for Chelsea’s approach and suggested that Manchester City should consider adopting a similar strategy next season. However, he also emphasized that the relentless football calendar is taking a toll on players. Using Rodri’s injury as an example, Guardiola explained that his star midfielder played 75 matches last season, including a victorious Euro campaign with Spain, leaving him with minimal recovery time.

Reflecting on the demands placed on players, Guardiola argued that the intense schedule leaves little room for adequate rest. He proposed that players like Rodri need extended breaks, akin to the longer off-seasons seen in the NBA, to recover fully and sustain high performance throughout the year. Without such changes, injuries caused by fatigue will continue to plague top athletes.