Newcomers Marmoush, Reis, and Khusanov will play for Man City against Chelsea

Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov, the new recruits for Manchester City, will be part of the team for Saturday’s league match against Chelsea, manager Pep Guardiola announced ahead of the match between two clubs vying for a Champions League berth.

Given that Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias will not be playing at Etihad Stadium, Guardiola is happy to have them on board. Due to an abductor injury, Dias was substituted at halftime of Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris St. Germain, and Guardiola said Doku “felt something” during Sunday’s 6-0 thumping of Ipswich Town.

“Vitor requires time, has a big personality, and is youthful. He can start, of sure, if he’s here with us,” Guardiola remarked. The fact that Khusanov played in the French league and dealt with difficult, speedy opponents is already enough for him. Communication will be one of the challenges we face because he doesn’t speak English well.

“Marmoush, I think he will adapt quick,” Guardiola added. “They will make us strong and I’m pretty sure that the club decided for these players for the future and many years.”

Chelsea is in fourth place, two points ahead Manchester City, who are in fifth place following a terrible run of bad performances over the past several weeks.

Guardiola expressed confidence that his team will at least finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League the next season, even if a record fifth consecutive Premier League title currently seemed all but unattainable with leaders Liverpool leading the holders by 12 points with one game remaining.

“The game on Saturday is really significant. Despite our recent history of major issues, we are extremely near in the standings,” Guardiola stated. “The goal this week is really, really important.”

“We can make it,” Guardiola responded when asked how worrying it would be if City failed to earn a spot in the top four the following season. What makes me think differently?

“I believe that will take place. I am quite optimistic.

Next Wednesday, City will play the Belgian team Club Brugge in a crucial Champions League league-phase final. City is stuck in 25th place in the rankings, with only the top 24 teams moving on.

“The next two games are finals for us,” Guardiola remarked, referring to Brugge and Chelsea.

With Kyle Walker’s loan transfer to AC Milan set to be announced soon, Guardiola had nothing to say about his departure.

“It is what it is,” wrote Guardiola.