“I follow my fans!” – Pep Guardiola issues team news ultimatum to Manchester City supporters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had a defiant message for supporters in regards to his team selection for the Blues’ visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

The Premier League champions have the opportunity to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing draw against Everton with victory over Chelsea in West London on Thursday evening.

City would close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to five points with a win at Stamford Bridge, after the Gunners drew 0-0 with Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Phil Foden, Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker have all returned to the Manchester City side for Thursday’s match, with Walker starting for the Blues for the first time since October.

Pep Guardiola has made a total of four changes from the side that drew against Everton on New Year’s Eve; as Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish all drop to the bench.

The Catalan’s team selection had come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with Guardiola sensationally saying that “I follow my fans” when asked about his choice of personnel prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking pre-match, Guardiola said: “Everybody asked for this Man City line-up, I follow my fans! We’re not going to discover what they mean, they come back from World Cup with niggles, Rico [Lewis] and the other guys have been fantastic.

“Before every game I am asked the reason why. Sometimes it’s not a specific reason why. There are many things.

“Since I arrive, I am not the guy who will pick 11 players all the time because you cannot handle the locker room. If a guy doesn’t play all season, it’s not nice.”

City face challenging fixtures against both Manchester United and Tottenham after Thursday’s clash with Chelsea, with the month of January potentially set to be defining in regards to the Premier League title race.

Discussing City’s title chances ahead of the match, Guardiola replied: “We would prefer to be eight points in front. At the same time, I had the feeling it’s not normal to be eight points clear. We have to be there and close. A lot of games still to play. Try to maintain our level and get a good runs of victories.”

City beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup prior to the FIFA World Cup and also meet Graham Potter’s side in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.