Newport vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola ‘sad’ at not being able to play ‘incredibly talented’ Riyad Mahrez more

Newport vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola ‘sad’ at not being able to play ‘incredibly talented’ Riyad Mahrez more
Pep Guardiola says he is sad to keep benching Riyad Mahrez.The Algeria winger has struggled for playing time since joining Manchester City in a 60million deal from Leicester last summer, havingstarted just 10 league games for Guardiolas side, with his last coming in a 3-1 win at Southampton in December.2

Riyad Mahrez has been unable to hold down a regular starting place at City

He is behind Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane in the pecking order, but is likely to feature against Newport County in the FA Cup fifth-round on Saturday, which is live on talkSPORT.When asked about Mahrezs lack of first-team action, City boss Guardiola said: I have a reason. I am the reason. He is not absolutely guilty or he doesnt feel any special reason why.I am sad because he is training incredibly, he is an incredibly talented player but in this moment we have five strikers – for example in the last games Leroy hasnt played.

FA Cup LIVE on talkSPORT

SATURDAY 16TH FEBRUARY12:30 Brighton v Derby talkSPORT15:00 AFC Wimbledon v Millwall talkSPORT17:30 Newport County v Manchester City talkSPORTSUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY13:00 Bristol City v Wolves talkSPORT16:00 Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace talkSPORTMonday 18TH FEBRUARY19:30 Chelsea v Manchester United –talkSPORTWe have incredible players, like for example Bernardo [Silva] and Raz [Raheem Sterling] in top, top form and that is the only reason why.Theres no particular reason, like being upset or something like that.He is a guy we are happy with, but unfortunately I am not kind with him, in the fact I cannot give him the minutes he deserves, so Im sorry, thats all I can say.Mahrez has nine goals and six assists in a City shirt this term and Guardiola has trusted him in big games.He has started against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, but missed a penalty late on in a goalless draw at Anfield in October.2

Riyad Mahrez is likely to start against Newport County in the FA Cup fifth-round on Saturday

Guardiola added: I am unfair in the fact that if he had played the minutes that the others had played he would have been in the top level like the players who are playing.Its not easy for one guy who does not play regularly to come in and play at a high, high level.He has a level but if we give him five or six games in a row playing he is going to play at the level of Sterling or Bernardo or the players who play. In two months when we played four or five games in a row he was incredible, outstanding.I dont have any doubts about his quality, just to keep going, not complain too much, move forward and fight more and more and more, his time is coming.Its coming and Im pretty sure he is going to play good.

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Thanks to Footyheadlines, the first Adidas Arsenal collection items for the 2019-2020 season have been leaked online and that could provide a huge hint over the colour scheme for the home kit. Based on the images, fans can probably expect next season's home kit to feature the same colors as the cap, in Arsenal's trademark and classic red and
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Chelsea full-back Victor Moses is set to complete a loan move to Fenerbahce until the end of the season. Goal understands the Blues had hoped to offload the Nigeria international on a permanent deal during the January transfer window after he fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
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Derby County assistant Jody Morris has told talkSPORT he and manager Frank Lampard are 'buzzing' to be facing former Chelsea team-mate John Terry in the play-off final. Lampard's Rams booked their trip to Wembley and a shot at promotion to the Premier League with a stunning comeback victory over Leeds United on Wednesday night.
Former Chelsea stars Frank Lampard and Jody Morris 'buzzing
sportsalert.org/2019/05/16/former-chelsea-stars-frank-lampard-and-jody-morris-buzzing-to-be-facing-john-terry-in-play-off-final/
Derby County assistant Jody Morris has told talkSPORT he and manager Frank Lampard are 'buzzing' to be facing former Chelsea team-mate John Terry in the play-off final. Lampard's Rams booked their trip to Wembley and a shot at promotion to the Premier League with a stunning comeback victory over Leeds United on Wednesday night. They
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Bayern Munich have agreed to meet Chelsea's asking price for Callum Hudson-Odoi by submitting a fresh bid of £35 million. According to Sky Sports, Bayern Munich have finally agreed to come to
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Tyrone Mings made his first start for Aston Villa after signing on loan from Bournemouth and the defender certainly left his mark against Reading on Saturday!. The 25-year-old was immense during the course of a 0-0 draw as Villa kept a clean sheet for only the sixth time this season, although it was a result that did little for Villa's hopes of pushing for promotion from the Championship.

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UEFA call secret meeting to discuss shocking Champions League Change.UEFA will reportedly hold secret talks with top European clubs over potential changes to Europe's elite competition.
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Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea, that's pretty much all we've Gonzalo Higuain's transfer to Chelsea to (finally) be completed today Gonzalo Higuain is reportedly due in London today to complete his move to Chelsea in time to face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
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John Terry 'in talks' to become Middlesbrough boss ahead of Aston Villa v Derby County play-off final. The Rams are preparing to face Villa at Wembley on Monday for a place in the Premier League
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David de Gea has lost his form for Man United and has been slated in Spanish press for losing grip on national team's No 1 shirt but there is still a glimmer of hope in Real Madrid move. David

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Dominic Solanke has said Jadon Sancho's success with Borussia Dortmund has proven an inspiration for many young English players. Sancho left Manchester City in 2017 in search of a better chance at first-team opportunities and found
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