Man City to blood new signings against Chelsea as Blues agree 'record fee' ahead of Etihad visit

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits all three of the club’s new signings will be in his squad to face Chelsea on Saturday as he continues to battle with injury problems.

Egypt international Omar Marmoush, Brazilian defender Vitor Reis and Uzbekistan star Abdukodir Khusanov all arrived at the Etihad Stadium this week for a combined £122m. Asked in his pre-match press conference if any of the new signings were ready to play, Guardiola said: “Yes. We don’t have players. They can play but I don’t know (what position) yet.”

Guardiola insisted that City’s busy January was not originally planned but with a poor run of form their plans for the summer were moved forward six months as they look to improve in the second half of the season. He added: “Last season we didn’t do much due to the exceptional quality of the team. We anticipated three or four and we should do it in summer, (but) we had to do it here for the amount of injuries, the problems that we had.

“Well, new players can help. Of course, they are here for that reason. It would not have happened without the amount of circumstances that we’ve had, and tomorrow we have, at a push, just one or two central defenders available. That’s why it’s important to have more (in the) squad, but the best energy is when you can win games and play good. That’s what we have to try to do again.”

Guardiola on Chelsea success under Maresca

City lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek while Chelsea were not in action with their first batch of Europa Conference League games already concluded. Guardiola’s side beat the Blues 2-0 on the opening day of the season at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca worked with Guardiola at City before leaving to take charge of Leicester City. He got the Foxes promoted before joining Chelsea.

On how Chelsea have improved under Maresca, Guardiola said: “I think we recognised the team from day one when we played in the pre-season in the United States. Many things, I start to see which we spoke about many times in the last years together. Really good. I’m very pleased, I was a lucky man to work with him in the last years. Everything happened with him and his family, if he’s fine, I am fine. I’m happy for him.”

Chelsea agree ‘record fee’ for youngster

Ahead of their visit to the Etihad on Saturday, Chelsea have reportedly struck a record deal to sign a talented youngster. Fabrizio Romano has tweeted: “Chelsea have agreed deal to sign 2008 born talent Dastan Satpaev from Kazakhstan. Transfer fee worth €4m package add-ons included from Kairat Almaty. Record transfer for Kazakhstan league as Dastan will join Chelsea on a 5 year deal plus 1 year option when he turns 18.”

The deal means Satpaev will join Chelsea in August of 2026, when he turns 18. The forward is a both-footed centre-forward who was previously under contract until 2026. The youngster is also able to play on the wing, although he is predominantly a striker. Chelsea have placed plenty of focus on signing young talent in the last couple of years, with the club eager to spend on players they can develop.