Manchester City Face Chelsea in Final Pre-Season Friendly Amid Concerns Over Haaland’s Fitness
Erling Haaland’s minor injury issues suggest he should be sidelined for Manchester City’s final pre-season match of their USA tour, following reports of muscular problems against Barcelona.
Haaland has been substituted at half-time in both of City’s previous friendlies—against AC Milan in New York and Barcelona in Orlando. While the first substitution was pre-planned, Guardiola confirmed that the latest was due to injury.
Guardiola emphasized that City won’t risk Haaland’s fitness, particularly with so few senior players available. If there’s any doubt about his injury status, he should not be risked against Chelsea in the final game of the summer tour.
Alternative Line-Up Plans
Micah Hamilton could play centrally, even though his standout moments on tour have come from the left wing, with Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb on the flanks.
The midfield pairing of Mateo Kovacic and Nico O’Reilly showed promise against Barcelona—O’Reilly scored and Kovacic provided an assist—so they deserve another run-out, with James McAtee in attack. McAtee has performed decently in the States but could benefit from a strong performance in the final game to solidify his place in the senior squad.
Kalvin Phillips received a mixed review for his display at center-back in Orlando, with Guardiola noting he struggles in tight spaces in midfield but is more composed when the game is in front of him. Due to a lack of other defensive options, he may continue in that role.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand has been reliable at left-back this tour, but Josko Gvardiol might move to that position, where he is more likely to play this season. Callum Doyle performed well off the bench against Robert Lewandowski and could start against Chelsea, under the manager who coached him at Leicester last season.
Defensive and Goalkeeping Adjustments
Guardiola has apologized to Rico Lewis for deploying him at right-back rather than his preferred midfield position this summer, but due to a lack of options, he is needed in defense. Having played every minute of the tour so far, another start seems certain. With Ederson starting the last two friendlies, Stefan Ortega might come in ahead of a possible Community Shield start next weekend.
Predicted Line-Up
Man City Predicted XI: Ortega; Lewis, Phillips, Doyle, Gvardiol; Kovacic, O’Reilly, McAtee; Grealish, Bobb, Hamilton.
This lineup balances the need to rest key players like Haaland while giving opportunities to others who have shown potential during the tour.
