By Gabriel Agbonlahor

20th Sep, 2023 | 3:59pm

Pep Guardiola is 'having us all on' with his 'hilarious' Man City claim - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Man City boss Pep Guardiola is “having us all on” after claiming his side are “in trouble” due to several injuries.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the problems could present big-money 2022 signing Kalvin Phillips with a rare opportunity to start for the treble-winners.

As quoted by the BBC (20 September), Guardiola insisted his Man City side are “in trouble” as the injury list at the Etihad Stadium mounts.

Bernardo Silva became the latest star to pick up a fitness problem after being substituted in the first half of the 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday (19 September).

Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic are also on the treatment table.

Nevertheless, Guardiola’s side have picked up maximum points from their first five Premier League games and sit top of the table.

City face Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (23 September).

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I can’t take him seriously when he says that, it’s hilarious.

“He could play Kalvin Phillips against Forest, and move Rodri further forward with Nunes.

“Then you’ve got Doku, Foden, Alvarez and Haaland fit.

“Defensively they’re absolutely fine. They’ve got plenty of options.

“This is why you build a squad like they have. To say that he’s now in trouble, I think he’s having us all on, to be honest.”

In other news, Man City £15million offer for defender sensation likely to be accepted.