Manchester City hand debuts to new signings Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov for tonight’s home visit o Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Egyptian forward completed his £64million transfer from German side Eintracht Frankfurt this week and goes straight into Pep Guardiola’s attack, and is joined by Khusanov in the starting XI. Fellow new arrival Vitor Reis is on the bench.
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"Vitor is young. He has a huge personality [but he] needs time," Guardiola said of his three January recruits on Friday. "If he's here with us, of course, he can start.
"Khusanov has already settled for the fact that he played in the French league [for Lens], handling tough, quick, fast players. But he doesn't speak much English so communication will be one of the situations that we have to deal with.
"Marmoush, I think, will adapt quickly. The [new signings] will make us strong and I'm pretty sure that the club decided these are prospective players for the future, for many years."
Ruben Dias asked to come off during Wednesday night’s chaotic 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The Portuguese defender had only just returned from a muscle injury but misses out against Chelsea on Saturday evening, alongside winger Jeremy Doku.
John Stones is fit again so makes the bench.
Confirmed team news
Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Stones, Grealish, De Bruyne, Reis, Savinho, O'Reilly, Lewis, McAtee
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, Acheampong, Disasi, Tosin, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Nkunku, Guiu
Injured: Ake, Rodri, Bobb, Doku, Dias
Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday January 25, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports
