Has Laporte fallen out with Guardiola at Man City? Frenchman dropped despite full fitness

Aymeric Laporte had established himself as one of Manchester City's key defenders since making a move to club in January 2018. Frenchman was solid in Man City's title run in 2018/19 as Pep Guardiola's side defender ir Premier League title with Laporte a key figure in defence. However, his stature in blue side of Manchester seems to have dropped off, with 'irreplaceable' 26-year-old having missed past three games. 

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Man City injury news: Pep dropping Laporte t down to fitness 

According to Athletic's Sam Lee, a source close to Manchester City said that Aymeric Laporte is fit eugh to start games but hasn't been afforded a run-in by manr Pep Guardiola in past three games. 26-year-old was at fault for Heung-Min Son's opener in ir defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and Frenchman has failed to make line-up ever since. Cityzens have had a far from perfect start to ir Premier League season, and Laporte is one of several players at Etihad that have failed to hit ir previously high standards. 

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Previously out of favour John Stones has displaced Laporte in line-up, despite Frenchman being one of better defenders in Guardiola's set-up. Stones, on or hand, was linked with a return to Everton in summer but stayed put as Eric Garcia also tried to force a move to Barcelona. arrival of Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias has furr increased competition, with latter having settled in quickly eerily similar to how Laporte did in 2018. 

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report also states that sources close to Man City do believe re is particular incident which ahs lead to Guardiola dropping Laporte from lin-up. Frenchman has been a model professional and has rifts with eir manr, his backroom staff or his teammates. re still remains an expectation that 26-year-old could be back against Fulham on Saturday, with Ruben Dias and Eric Garcia having deputised in 0-0 draw against FC Porto. 

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Pe Guardiola so far this season had used his press conferences to push for five sub-rule and highlight busy schedule this season. However, after ar 5-0 win over Burnley, former Barcelona boss dismissed suggestions that players missing out against Clarets were rested. Guardiola said that he was focusing on starting players who are in better conditions or more focused and for benefit of team. Sources believe that mess was directed at Raheem Sterling And Laporte, who have failed to achieve ir previous heights this season. Man City are currently 11th in points table, with 15 points in nine games so far. 

(Im Courtesy: Aymeric Laporte Instagram)