Man City’s Pellegrini says he knew about Guardiola’s appointment

“Maybe they have their reasons but my duty is to do for this team what I think is best and if we play on Sunday I think it’s better not to play with the “professional” players”. “We believe sooner or later we lose but nothing must happen”.

Pellegrini, aware that City are due to face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley the following weekend, made it clear he is willing to sacrifice the FA Cup by sending out a young team against Chelsea to spare his stars the draining effects of travel and fatigue in such a critical week. After this you still have to play 13 more games, 39 points. It’s important now for Vincent to start playing again as we have just 14 senior players.

While doubters question their ability to last the pace, Leicester’s recent results have convinced Ranieri his players are embracing the spotlight and won’t wilt under the pressure of battling for their first top-flight title. “We’ll see if he can start working with the squad next week”. Ha ha ha. This is a secret.

“We have Leicester on Saturday so let’s make it count and get those three points”.

If that is rather hard to believe then what is certain is that the outgoing Manchester City manager will not be short of offers.

“It’s not the way that I want to do it but we need to prioritise one competition”. They won seven of their last nine games.

Only Matty James (knee) and Jeff Schlupp (hamstring) will definitely be absent for the trip to Manchester.

Press Association Sport understands the club will send a letter of complaint to senior figures at the Football Association and manager Manuel Pellegrini has threatened to field an under-strength team. Pellegrini said he was not kept in the dark as the Bayern Munich boss was ushered into the City hotseat.

The Foxes have defied sceptics throughout the season and travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the surprise leaders of the Barclays Premier League.

“It’s important for everyone to know that I knew what was happening and that no one was doing anything behind my back”, Pellegrini told reporters on Friday.

“For me it is the best season because we have such a small difference between one team and another that every game is a final”.

“No, I don’t think, because we can win this game or we can lose this game and we will not finish the Premier League here”.

While Chelsea and Manchester United failing to mount a consistent title challenge this term, Pellegrini’s charges and Arsenal have endured inconsistent spells as Leicester have maintained their impressive campaign under Claudio Ranieri.