Enzo Maresca does not think Marc Guehi needs a break, even though the Manchester City defender has been culpable for four goals conceded in the last fortnight.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Guehi could still start against Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. His errors came in matches with PSG, Ipswich and Aston Villa.
He was withdrawn at half-time at Villa Park on Saturday, and Maresca explained why he pulled him off. Now the City manager has gone out of his way to back him.
Why Maresca is still happy with Guehi
Maresca made his feelings clear in his pre-match press conference and refused to single the centre-back out for criticism.
“Especially in this moment, I am completely happy with Marc, because in the way he reacts it is fantastic, he is a top guy. He is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc, to be honest,” said Maresca.
He then linked Guehi’s situation to that of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes it is recognised. Marc is aware now but he has played all the minutes since the start of the season with us and the international team. In the last two weeks he didn’t play the Champions League, 45 minutes the other day and so he is completely OK.”
Fitness concerns behind the Guehi errors
City have had concerns over Guehi’s fitness given his long season last year for Crystal Palace, City and then England. Going all the way to the third-place play-off in the World Cup meant the centre-back barely had any pre-season with Manchester City before being thrown straight into games.
That makes the recent dip easier to understand. Guehi started the season very well for Maresca, including a game in which he was trusted in defensive midfield, but the errors have crept in over the last few matches.
Will Guehi start against Brighton?
Maresca did not include Guehi in a list of five players who have been allowed to miss the Carabao Cup game. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are both in that handful, which leaves City short of options in defence.
So Guehi could play again, and Maresca is confident the player has the legs and the mindset to get straight back into action. You can see how City might line up in our Man City predicted lineup vs Brighton.
Author opinion
Four goals in two weeks is a lot for a defender City paid big money for, but backing him in public is the smart move. Maresca has now stood by Guehi and Donnarumma in the same breath, and with Dias and Gvardiol on the rest list, a quick chance to make amends against Brighton may be exactly what the England man needs.
