Man City boss Guardiola has ‘no worries’ over World Cup calls for England duo

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on April 30, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) /

Pep Guardiola gave his “100 percent support” Friday to England manager Gareth Southgate naming Manchester City duo Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker in his World Cup squad.

Phillips, a midfielder, only returned from two months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery as a substitute in the midweek League Cup win over Chelsea.

Right-back Walker has not played since suffering an abdominal injury, which later needed surgery, in the derby against Manchester United on October 2.

City manager Guardiola, however, said Friday: “You saw Kalvin in the last game, he is ready. Kyle — not yet.

“It is a decision from Gareth Southgate and I support, 100 percent, his decisions. I am not involved. After Saturday the players belong to the national teams, they don’t belong to us. I am not worried at all.”

Guardiola, speaking at a pre-match press conference, was coy over whether Erling Haaland would return to the starting XI for the Premier League champions’ clash against Brentford on Saturday.

The Norwegian star has featured in just one of City’s last four games, coming off the bench to score a late winner against Fulham last weekend.

“We will see,” said Guardiola, whose side are just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. “We have training this (Friday) afternoon. He is a little bit better.”

Guardiola, out of contract at the end of the season, refused to say if he would use the upcoming World Cup break to discuss his future with the club.

“I’ve said many times, I don’t talk about that,”