PEP GUARDIOLA named the “best bench in history” for Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea this afternoon.

The reigning Prem champions went into the match having already retained their crown, courtesy of Nottingham Forest’s win over Arsenal yesterday.

Jack Grealish was named on the bench by City

Guardiola responded by rotating his side for the clash with Chelsea, naming a star-studded bench that cost a staggering £490million in the process.

At £100million, former Prem transfer record holder Jack Grealish was the most expensive of City’s subs.

Midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri were also included on the bench, having cost £66m and £61m apiece.

While defenders Ruben Dias (£62m) and John Stones (48m) were also available for Guardiola to call on from the sidelines.

Ederson, a £35m stopper, took the afternoon off with understudy Stefan Ortega getting a go.

And £52m goal-scoring record star Erling Haaland was replaced in the line-up by Julian Alvarez, with mid-week Champions League hero Bernardo Silva (43m) also on the bench.

At £23m, Ilkay Gundogan was the cheapest of City’s subs.

Commenting on City’s eye-watering array of substitutes, one fan wrote: “That bench is literally going to win the champions league.”

A second pondered: “I wonder if Man City’s bench today is the best starting bench for a football game ever seen in the world.”

Another purred: “The greatest bench in history.”

A further social media user added: “Surely that Man City bench is the best bench in the history of football.”

City’s star-studded bench warm up