It is the season of goodwill to all men but Pep Guardiola understandable thinks you forego the right to enjoy that if you boot a bloke’s ankles from under him for no apparent reason.
Yes, Kyle Walker is on the naughty step (AKA the substitutes’ bench) for Manchester City’s Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Wolves.
The primary matter at hand for the Blues is attempting to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to four points as Liverpool and Chelsea kick off later in the day.
But some preparation for playing high-pressure matches without their elite big-game defender is also on the agenda after Walker’s petulant assault on RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva in midweek.
It means the England defender will miss one or maybe both legs of City’s last-16 tie in the Champions League, with the opponents for that game to be decided in Monday’s draw.
Those are all tomorrow problems. For today, the City defence have to contend with Adama Traore - a player who seems to grow considerable in stature whenever this fixture comes around, which is no mean feat given he’s already absolutely massive.
In six games against Guardiola’s side for Wolves, Traore has scored three times, including both goals in a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium in 2019.
He has never scored more than once against any other Premier League opponent and, although he is yet to record a goal or an assist this term, there have been plenty of signs that the old menace is returning under Bruno Lage.
Wolves’ XI suggests Traore will have a license to roam in attack alongside centre-forward Raul Jimenez. How effectively he is able to harness this freedom will likely define the contest.
Joao Cancelo’s capacity to craft City attacks from full-back might end up being tempered, while Oleksandr Zinchenko will have to exist on his considerable wits at left-back because the fight with Traore is a mismatch in terms of physicality and skill.
Alternatively, City’s formidable midfield three of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri might - with the help of Cancelo - starve Wolves of possession to the extent that Traore is reduced to the role of spectator, much like his would-be opponent Walker.
What do you think of the line-up Pep Guardiola selected to face Wolves? Follow our City Is Ours editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
