Manchester City have another fixture ahead of them in what is already a busy season for the club.
Following on from their 1-1 Premier League draw away at Newcastle United and their 4-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, City are back in action this weekend.
Specifically, Pep Guardiola’s side will be taking on Fulham at the Etihad Stadium for their latest Premier League outing.
Out of their six league games this season, the Blues have won four, drawn two and scored 14 goals in the process, conceding six along the way as well.
In comparison, Marco Silva’s side have won three, drawn two and lost one of their six matches, bagging eight goals and conceding five along the way, putting them in sixth place just three points behind City.
In the build-up to Saturday’s meeting between the two sides, one pundit and former Premier League player has urged the City boss to include one particular player in his starting XI.
Paul Merson says Pep Guardiola must start Jack Grealish in Man City vs Fulham
While previewing all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures in a recent column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson said this about the one player he thinks should be in City’s starting XI against Fulham.
He said: “Jack Grealish must start this game for City, in my opinion.
“One thing that people forget about him is that he works his socks off, maybe more than any other player in his position.
“I’m honestly not a fan of Jeremy Doku and I’d prefer Grealish over him against Fulham.”
Grealish showed his class in Newcastle draw
Looking back over the draw against Newcastle where Grealish completed 81 minutes before being subbed off for Doku, he was able to show Guardiola what he’s capable of producing on the pitch.
For instance, as well as providing the assist for Josko Gvardiol’s goal, the £300k-a-week winger made more key passes (5) than any other City player on the day.
However, in the 4-0 win in Slovakia on Tuesday night, Doku racked up the highest number of touches in the opposition box (26) than any player in a Champions League game since the 2008/09 season.
The Belgian also made five key passes and delivered one assist, mirroring Grealish’s efforts in last weekend’s game at St. James’ Park.
So while Merson may be adamant that Guardiola should start Grealish ahead of Doku against Fulham, it may not be as easy a decision for the City boss.
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