“Has Pep’s nudes”, “Will cost us” - Manchester City fans worried after Guardiola picks ‘below par’ player in starting line-up to face Tottenham

Fans have reacted to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola including midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to start the Premier League home game with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (November 23).

The Cityzens are in a bit of slump, losing their last four games across competitions, a first in Guardiola's illustrious managerial career. That includes consecutive league defeats - 2-1 losses at Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion just before the international break.

Meanwhile, Gundogan returned to City after a one-year spell at Barcelona but hasn't quite got going, registering a goal and an assist in 15 outings across competitions. Nevertheless, the German starts against Spurs, which hasn't enthused fans.

One tweeted:

"Seems Gundogan has Pep's nudes"

Another chimed in:

"Pep it's too early for this again. Why is Gundogan starting?"

There were similar reactions from other fans, with one tweeting:

"I really can't understand the choice to keep KDB on the bench. And to bring on Gundogan, who has performed horribly recently ... anyway may we get the win. That's all that matters"

Another posted:

"Nunes should start in midfield instead of Gundogan, his been below par"

One posted:

"Gundogan will cost us the lose"

Despite their recent slide, Guardiola's side are second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool (28) by five points after 11 games as they seek a record-extending fifth straight title.

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Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden thanks Pep Guardiola for his growth

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has credited boss Pep Guardiola for his growth over the years since coming up through the ranks at the Etihad. The 24-year-old has been a key player for the Cityzens since his first-team debut in the 2016-17 season.

In 284 games, he has contributed 90 goals and 55 assists, including three goals and two assists in 14 games this season. Foden said about Guardiola's role in his development (as per the BBC):

"When I made it to the first team, I couldn't have asked for a better coach than Pep to improve me as a player and make me find that final push I needed to mature into the first team.

"Definitely working with him when I was younger was massive for me to become a man at such a young age and step into the first team. That's where a lot of trust is involved. I spoke to him a couple of times (early on), and I knew his intentions and what he needed from me."

Foden has won six Premier League and one UEFA Champions League title with Manchester City, among various domestic and continental honours.