Before Gameweek 9, there were predictions that Manchester City players returning from international duty in South America would be left out of the starting lineup. However, it was Ederson (5.6m), not Julian Alvarez (7.1m), who ended up on the bench at the Etihad. Throughout the season, Pep Guardiola has highlighted the significance of Alvarez, especially Kevin De Bruyne’s injury, even describing him as “almost undroppable” at one point.
Despite the possibility of resting Alvarez after international breaks in Gameweeks 5 and 9 due to jetlag concerns, he played the full 90 minutes in both matches and delivered nine points in each. Alvarez’s importance to Manchester City was evident, not just in his pressing and goal-scoring abilities, but also in the extended playing time he received against Brighton. As for Ederson, extensive travel during the October break was the main reason of benching him.
“Just the fact for the travel from Brazil for Eddy, it was a long time. “It has happened many times and he played but he played two games there and the first day he arrived he was so, so tired. “Normally Ortega plays the Carabao Cup – now we are out – and the FA Cup. Even for Eddy it’s good to rest for a little bit, freshen your mind. Other players get tired and keepers can be tired, too.” – Pep Guardiola on Ederson’s benching
Solly March Injured
Brighton’s injury woes this season have been quite unfortunate, and they now seem to have lost another regular player to a long-term injury, with Solly March (6.3m) being the latest casualty. During the latter stages of the match at the Etihad, the winger suffered an awkward fall and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Danny Welbeck (5.8m) also had to leave the game in Manchester due to a muscular injury. Solly March had been temporarily playing as a left-back in recent Gameweeks, but he typically operates on the right flank.
“This is the worst news today. I think we can lose Solly March for a long time and Welbeck, I don’t know, it’s a muscular problem. “We are losing too many players, I think we are not ready to compete in these competitions and we are adapting. It’s tough. We [will] play against Ajax – a crucial game – without Estupinan, Lamptey, March, Welbeck, I think, and Julio Enciso.” – Roberto De Zerbi
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