MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola has told his side they have little room for error in the Premier League title race, as they prepare to face Newcastle United this weekend.
The champions could find themselves five points behind leaders Arsenal come their next league game against the Magpies on Saturday lunchtime if the Gunners beat Everton tomorrow night.
“I have the feeling in the Premier League many things are going to happen,” said Guardiola, whose side won at Bournemouth at the weekend. “Everyone is going to drop points but we cannot drop many if we are going to fight until the end.”
Despite claiming a crucial victory over their chief title rivals at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month, City have been inconsistent since the World Cup.
They restored some confidence after frustrating draws against Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig in the last week, however, with a convincing 4-1 win at Bournemouth.
“The game we are playing is good,” said Guardiola. “The results could be better – in terms of winning at Spurs or Nottingham – but sometimes that happens.
“Of course it’s not exceptional – it’s okay, it’s good – but I don’t have complaints with the way we are playing and fighting.
“I said after the last game against Bournemouth that the mood in the locker room is exceptional and the guys are doing everything, and that’s enough for me.”
City are back in action this evening as they travel to Championship side Bristol City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Guardiola expects a reasonable test against Nigel Pearson’s side, who have not lost since Boxing Day.
“Last 12 games no defeat – that gives me a lot of info,” said the Manchester City boss. “It means they are there.
“My scouts say they are good team, the manager has a lot of experience. He did really well at Leicester and Watford.
“It’s a final. The FA Cup is an important competition, really important. It’s a serious team that is going to play tomorrow.”
The game could provide an opportunity for £45m summer signing Kalvin Phillips to make a rare start.
The England international has started just one game for City in a curious campaign in which he was expected to ease some of the midfield burden on Rodri.
As well as injury problems, the 27-year-old was criticised by Guardiola for being overweight and he has struggled to get meaningful game time off the bench.
Yet he was given 35 minutes at the Vitality Stadium at the weekend and could see more action in the season’s decisive weeks.
“Kalvin is adapting and adjusting a little bit,” said Guardiola. “Some players need a bit more time.
“I have the feeling he needs a little bit more time to learn.”
Shock claim as Manchester City player ‘will ask club to sell him’ in summer – ‘Wants to leave’
Earlier on Monday, we covered a story from South America claiming that Julian Alvarez wasn’t interested in signing a new contract with Manchester City.
The forward has seen his game time at the Etihad limited by the arrival of Erling Haaland, but that hasn’t stopped the Cityzens from wanting to give him a new deal following his success at the World Cup with Argentina.
Manchester City have struggled to do that, though, and there was talk of him potentially being allowed to go on loan, with Barcelona waiting, in order to get some game time under his belt.
Well, it appears matters have escalated since, if El Chiringuito, via their journalist Darío Montero G, are to be believed on Monday.
That’s because they outright claim that the player ‘wants to leave’ Manchester City this summer, and not just on loan.
No, they go as far as saying that he will ‘ask the club to sell him’, before adding that there is currently ‘nothing with Barcelona’.
That’s quite the claim from the journalist, especially when you have to take into account the fact the 23-year-old has really only just arrived at Manchester City.
While the idea that he could go on loan makes sense, him forcing a permanent exit this early into his Etihad contract does not
Source: thenorthernecho.co.uk; sportwitness.co.uk
