- Pep Guardiola says it will be a tough trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium
- Manchester City will be without Rodri, Dias and Gvardiol
- Pep Guardiola has praised David Moyes ahead of the trip to Everton
Pep Guardiola faced the media on Friday ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the City boss made it clear he is expecting a difficult afternoon against an Everton side chasing European football. With Everton still needing wins to secure European qualification, Pep Guardiola refused to underestimate David Moyes’ team.
Guardiola on Moyes: ‘That passion has been since he was born’
The Spaniard began by paying tribute to the Everton manager. “David Moyes has had that passion since he was born, and it’s really impressive at his age that he’s still going strong. It’s really nice to see.”
Guardiola also spoke warmly about John Stones, the former Everton defender who is expected to leave Manchester City this summer and has been linked with a return to Merseyside. “He was one of my first signings. I remember travelling to London to meet him at my brother’s house for the first time. He was young, and there are very few players who can understand what we, as a club, have done in this period together.”
He added, “He was best played by far in the final in Istanbul. Now he feels fit, hopefully he can find physically the rhythm to be ready and like Bernardo said, part of ourselves, not just me, is leaving. He is an incredible person on and off the pitch.”
Pep Guardiola: ‘Everton are defending really well’
Guardiola acknowledged the challenge posed by Everton’s new home. “Always Everton have been tough. Old Everton was so cool and so British and I loved to go there but in the new stadium they are defending really well and always it has been tough. In recent weeks, Everton have had very good results and are fighting for a place in Europe.”
City injury latest: Rodri, Dias and Gvardiol still out
Guardiola provided updates on several key absentees. “Ruben is not yet with the team. Him, Josko and Rodri are getting better.” Rodri has yet to return to training, while Ruben Dias has been out with a thigh injury since mid‑March. Josko Gvardiol also remains sidelined. City are likely to start the centre‑back pairing of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov against Everton.
With Everton pushing for a European place and City needing points to secure their own ambitions of a title snatch from Arsenal, the clash has plenty at stake. Guardiola’s words, “always Everton have been tough”, will resonate with Blues fans. At the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Moyes’ side will aim to prove him right once more.
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