LONDON, England — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola don update fans about di fitness of im players ahead of di Premier League match against Everton for Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Goodison Park. Di team don dey prepare after dem beat Crystal Palace 5-2 last weekend but challenges dey wait for dem.
Star midfielder Phil Foden and defender Manuel Akanji don return to training after dem miss various matches due to injury. Foden dey recover from ankle injury wey him sustain during di Manchester derby, while Akanji don dey out since February after surgery for im abductor problem. Guardiola say: “Phil come back on Thursday and train again today. Manu don join us for two or three training sessions, and I see him dey move well.”
But not all news dey sweet for City. Goalkeeper Ederson go miss di game after him suffer groin injury last week against Crystal Palace, while two key defenders, John Stones and Nathan Ake, also no go fit play this Saturday.
Guardiola confirmed say: “Ederson no ready for tomorrow. I no sabi when e go fit return. Stones and Ake dey get better but dem no fit play yet. That na di reality.” Meanwhile, Erling Haaland dey still sidelined due to ankle injury wey him pick for FA Cup match against Bournemouth. Guardiola say di striker still weeks away from recovery.
As City dey prepare for important games, Guardiola talk about di significance of di Everton match. He say: “Goodison Park dey special like all traditional stadiums in England. Dis week dey very important for us. We need di points to secure Champions League qualification for next season.”
Current Premier League table show say City dey sit for fifth position, just one point ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa, latest they dey fight to maintain their spot as di season dey come to an end with six matches left.
Guardiola urge im team to focus and stay strong: “We dey in control of our destiny. No be wahala to dey fight for Champions League qualification. We fit dey low pass but we don do some good things dis season. We need to gather di points wey we need for dis remaining matches, including di one against Everton and Aston Villa for next week.”
