On Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness ahead of Leeds/RMA: “He trained good yesterday (Thursday). Today
(Friday), we are going to train and decide after training. Losing just one week or 10 days is not
a problem, it's the same thing that happened with Nathan (Ake). If he's fit, he will play.”
On facing Sam Allardyce following Leeds appointment: “It's the past
(in reference to Pep’s record against SA). Always the impact a new manager has on
the players in the first one, two games, every team is playing for
important things but Leeds (have) to stay here. I don't know the system they're going to play, we
have to adapt in the first 10, 15 minutes. It's a massive, important game for us.”
On the RMA game playing a role in preparation for
Leeds: “No, I'm thinking (that) it's a lot of games. Yesterday (Thursday), I saw the team
really tired after the demands from Fulham and West Ham were so big. I'll have to see
how the players are, how they recover after just three days. My decision will be on how
their physical and mental (conditions) are to play the game. The Premier League is so nice,
we want to go four points above Arsenal and all focus is on tomorrow (against Leeds).”
On going strong in terms of selection in the run-in:
“It's one of the first times we are there (in all three competitions). But the fact is we play many,
many games - we are used to it. What we have done being here till the end we have
done (in) the past. It's not a surprise but I admire my players for doing it.”
On Sam Allardyce challenge, especially after his pre-match selection comments:
“That's right. When you don't have info(information) on the opponent, we
can't focus much on them and focus on ourselves; analyse what's in our game to help us in the next
one.”
On Kalvin Phillips’ minutes and if he’s ready to play against his former club: “I'm
pretty sure, (he is) always ready. Every player is ready. Again, doctors and sports scientists do an
incredible job this season to keep players fit and we arrive at the end of the season to have
almost all the players ready. Everyone has to be
ready. Everyone will be important whether it's lots of minutes or a few minutes.”
On Rodri being potentially
rested: “We will see today. We see the training session. Talk to a few players and we will see.”
On Ederson and if he’s ready to return:
“He is ready to play like he was against West Ham, tomorrow we decide.”