Guardiola to Make Late Decision on Stones, Nunes, and Ederson for Everton Clash

Pep Guardiola will make a final decision on the availability of John Stones, Matheus Nunes, and Ederson ahead of Manchester City’s Boxing Day fixture against Everton after the team’s final two training sessions.

City host the Toffees at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday 26 December, with kick-off set for 12:30 (UK). Guardiola confirmed that the trio’s fitness will be assessed in the lead-up to the match, following some injury concerns.

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Stones, who returned to the starting XI for the Premier League clash with Aston Villa, was substituted at halftime after feeling discomfort, and Guardiola admitted that the defender was not fully fit.

“I didn’t talk with the doctors but if he could not play the second half at Villa Park it’s because he wasn’t ready,” Guardiola said when asked about Stones’ condition. “We’ll see.”

As for Ederson and Nunes, both players were absent from the squad at Villa Park. Guardiola confirmed that each will be evaluated after the team’s training sessions on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.

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“We train this afternoon and will see how many players we have available,” Guardiola added. “At the moment, I don’t know. We train today and tomorrow night, and then we stay here and then play on Boxing Day.”

Guardiola also noted that players would have time with their families before returning for the final training sessions ahead of the match.

In addition to discussing his squad’s fitness, Guardiola spoke highly of Everton manager Sean Dyche and his work at the helm of the Toffees. Despite Everton sitting in 15th place, Dyche’s side has earned a reputation for solid defensive performances, including recent goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea.

When asked if City’s recent struggles had given Guardiola a new appreciation for Dyche and other managers, he responded, “I don’t need to live in this situation to admire and appreciate the challenges of every club.”

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Guardiola continued, “Every manager at a club has one target. Maybe one day Sean Dyche will manage a big, big club and it will be another challenge. It doesn’t mean when he was at Burnley, now at Everton and doing what he has done wasn’t good. You give them a lot of credit.”

“I don’t discredit the other teams for what they have done, ever,” he concluded.

As City aim to return to winning ways, Guardiola’s focus will be on preparing his squad and ensuring his players are fit and ready for the challenge that Everton will bring on Boxing Day.