Manchester City are poised to hand Marc Guéhi his highly anticipated debut this Saturday as they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium.
Facing a severe defensive shortage with John Stones, Joško Gvardiol, and Rúben Dias all sidelined, Pep Guardiola has moved quickly to integrate Guéhi into the starting XI. The England international, who captained his former side to FA Cup glory last season, has received glowing praise from his new manager.
“An Exceptional Captain”
“It’s very good to have him considering our absences,” Guardiola stated. “Guéhi is exceptional a national team player and a proven leader. Having a player of his calibre ready to step in is vital for us right now.”
While the defense is reinforced, doubts remain over the fitness of Matheus Nunes and Nico González, both of whom are facing late fitness tests ahead of the Gameweek 23 clash.
Key Reinforcements: Semenyo and Bernardo Silva
The Cityzens will also be bolstered by the return of Antoine Semenyo and Bernardo Silva. Semenyo missed the midweek Champions League disappointment against Bodø/Glimt due to registration issues but is cleared for domestic action. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva returns from suspension to reclaim his spot in the midfield engine room.
Guardiola highlighted the importance of his leadership group during this turbulent period: “Bernardo, Rúben, Rodri, and Haaland are extraordinary. This is one of the best groups of captains I’ve ever had since arriving at the club.”
Predicted Lineups & Haaland’s Response
Following the shock defeat in Europe, Erling Haaland issued a public apology to the fans a gesture Guardiola deemed unnecessary, insisting that “if the team doesn’t win, it’s everyone’s fault.”
Predicted Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Rico Lewis, Marc Guéhi, Khusanov, O’Reilly; Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva; Semenyo, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 (GMT) / 10:00 (ET)
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
