Pep Guardiola has called for his players to prove they deserve a place in City’s starting XI.

With seven fixtures in the next three weeks spanning three competitions, the City boss will need to make full use of his squad before the next international break in November.

We welcome Burnley to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday for a 15:00pm (UK) kick-off, before a Champions League clash away to Club Brugge and trip to the South Coast to face Brighton in the space of seven days.

And speaking ahead of the Clarets’ visit this weekend, Guardiola insisted that, while nobody’s place in the team is guaranteed, consistent performances will transfer into regular minutes.

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He said: “I can’t assure how many minutes everyone is going to play. Always they have to speak on the pitch, that’s the best moment.

“They have the opportunity because they know they’ll play minutes. I’m not a guy who only plays 11 players.

“Everyone is involved and is there. I completely understand, when I was a player all the time I wanted to play, it’s not an exception, all of them want to play every game, 90 minutes but I can’t assure them (of that).

“They have to prove it in every training session and on the pitch.

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“It’s not easy. I take the decision because I think it’s best to win tomorrow the game we are going to play.

“In my career, important players in important games did not play. It’s because I considered in that moment, this player is more important for many reasons.

“When it goes well everyone is happy but when it doesn’t go well, it’s just me.

“So I take the decision and consequences that are best for the team and the Club, not just the players or for me.”

Hear the boss’ pre-match thoughts in full via the video above...

City v Burnley 

We will have full coverage of Saturday’s game right here on ManCity.com and on the official Man City app.

Live text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre at 13:00 (UK).

Our Matchday Live show gets under way just before 14:00 (UK), with Shaun Goater and Trevor Sinclair joining us the studio.

Andy Morrison will be providing expert co-commentary alongside Ali Mann for those who wish to have an audio accompaniment with the game. 

And CITY+ subscribers can watch a full 90-minute replay of the match from midnight.

CITY+ subscribers can also watch live coverage of our EDS side as they take on Leicester at 19:30 (UK). 

You can get exclusive City content with a CITY+ subscription.

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