Pep Guardiola says he rotated his Manchester City side in the Premier League clash with Tottenham in order to get a look at all of his players.
Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Aguero all returned to City's starting line up, while Nicolas Otamendi replaced the injured John Stones.
Riyad Mahrez, David Silva and Gabriel Jesus all dropped to the bench, despite Mahrez and Jesus playing a key role in the opening day win over West Ham.
Mahrez contributed three assists in the 5-0 victory, while Jesus scored the first goal and could have had a second but for the closest of offside calls in the build-up.
Yet the pair did not continue against Tottenham, and Guardiola explained he will rotate his squad during the 'proper pre-season' of fixtures until September's international break.
"The reason is I want everybody involved," Guardiola told Sky Sports.
"So at this part of the season I want to see everybody involved. How is the rhythm, how is the physical condition, and see the players how they are because we need everybody.
"We have a long week and if the players don’t play regularly they can go three weeks without a game which is too much in the season.
"Now is the real pre-season. The pre-season in China is not the real pre-season, the pre-season is now. The week before West Ham, the week now, the next two weeks to prepare before the international break.
"That’s why the guys who didn’t play the last game are involved because Riyad was the best player, so he should play. Gabriel was incredible the way he come back. So I need to see Bernardo and take his best performance so that is the reason why.
"The second game in the Premier League, the first game at home is difficult to find a better game to play at home in the first one. We try to have a good game and enjoy it."
