Press reports, notably from 'The Athletic', have revealed that Spanish coach Pep Guardiola has largely settled on his core lineup with Manchester City in Premier League matches, leading to several players being sidelined from regular participation recently.

According to the report, Guardiola used the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton to give playing time to less frequently used players, relying on a consistent group of about 11 main players who have gelled together this season.

The coach stated in his remarks: 'I try to involve everyone, but when I reach the final stage of the season, and even though the atmosphere within the team is good, I reduce rotation and make fewer changes,' explaining the difficulty of making changes at this critical stage of the season.

This comes amid player fatigue after winning the Premier League against Arsenal, alongside the coaching staff's desire to maintain harmony within the team competing for local titles.

With Manchester City out of the Champions League, the team now has more time to recover during the week, reducing Guardiola's need to rest key players, which has made it harder for some players to get playing time.

Phil Foden

Player Phil Foden, who shone at the end of 2025, has participated sparingly since the start of the new year, due to Guardiola's reliance on a fixed lineup. He faces difficulty reclaiming his starting position despite being one of the club's academy's top graduates, especially with the season's final matches approaching.

Nico Gonzalez

Player Nico Gonzalez delivered a notable performance in the FA Cup but lost his starting spot following the return of players like Rodri and Bernardo Silva. According to the report, the coach's decisions in some matches affected his presence within the team.

Omar Marmoush

Forward Omar Marmoush struggles with limited participation due to Guardiola's use of him as a central striker, making him a backup to star Haaland. Despite performing well when playing, the lack of continuity impacts his performance and may open the door for his departure if he desires regular play.

Tijjani Reijnders

Player Tijjani Reijnders, who started the season as a regular after his move from Milan, has seen his participation decline recently due to the coach's reliance on Rodri and Bernardo in midfield. Guardiola uses him in a more attacking role, reducing his impact on playmaking.

Rico Lewis

Player Rico Lewis, despite Guardiola's admiration for his abilities, struggles with the changing nature of the Premier League and teams' reliance on physical strength, reducing his effectiveness. He did not participate in Saturday's match despite significant lineup changes.

Rayan Ait-Nouri

Player Rayan Ait-Nouri returned to participation after a period of absence but was affected by injuries and the rise of other players in his position, keeping him away from the main lineup.

Savinho

Player Savinho did not start the main match despite numerous changes and had been linked with a departure previously, but the club's management insisted on his continuation.

John Stones and Nathan Ake

Defender John Stones is set to leave Manchester City at the end of his contract this summer after ten years with the team, while defender Nathan Ake is also expected to leave despite having one season left on his contract.

Kovacic and Trafford

Player Mateo Kovacic returned after a long injury and is considered an important element in the team, but he may attract offers in the summer. Meanwhile, goalkeeper James Trafford's ranking was affected after signing a new goalkeeper, reducing his chances of playing.

According to the same source, this situation reflects Guardiola's reliance on a fixed lineup during the critical phase of the season, making the future of several Manchester City players unclear until the end of the season.