Pep Guardiola explains Max Alleyne and Nico O'Reilly decision against Brighton
Manchester City vs Brighton in the Premier League from the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made a bold selection call for the Premier League clash against Brighton.
City are struggling with injury and fatigue issues for this one and young defender defender Max Alleyne comes into the starting XI.
Alleyne was recalled from his Championship loan at Watford and Guardiola said the 20-year-old is ready.
"We have a lot of absences in central defenders,” said the Spaniard to Sky Sports ahead of the match.
“Nico O'Reilly in the last week has a lot of problems with fatigue and niggles.
“That's why we bring him [Alleyne] back. We know him from one or two seasons. He's ready."
Alleyne is an England under-21 international and mainly plays at centre back but could feature at left back against the 10th placed Seagulls.
He is the son of former England cricket all-rounder and current Gloucestershire coach Mark Alleyne and joined City from Southampton's academy in 2021 for a reported fee of £1.5m
Abdukhodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku also start for City, with Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, O'Reilly, Rodri and Rayan Cherki dropping out.
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Alleyne, Khusanov, Ake, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland.
Gross starts for Brighton
Meanwhile, Brighton handed a first start for German midfielder Pascal Gross following his return to the club from Borussia Dortmund.
“He plays a big part in our thoughts,” said Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler. “He will be important for the second part of our season and we want to have him on the pitch and that is why we made this decision.”
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Gomez, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, De Cuyper, Hinshelwood, Ayari, Mitoma, Gross, Rutter.