Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed he expected Chelsea boss Graham Potter to opt for a back five against Manchester City.

“I want to say thank you to Joao and Rodri for making the effort to play in those roles, but I imagined that type of game where they might have had five at the back, which they sometimes play, we could use Kyle [Walker] and Joao as full-backs,” Guardiola said.

“But in the first half, everything was sloppy, and we couldn’t keep contact with the wingers or the attacking midfielders and we didn’t create much. Our pressing was so poor, and we were not well organised.

“In the second half, especially with Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis – and this young boy has the quality to make us better.

“Everyone can play better, but when [Rico] came in, Rodri played better, Kevin [De Bruyne] played better, and he has the talent to do this.

“Since we have come back, he has been playing for us and he has become fundamental for us, the way he is playing right now.”