Pep Guardiola claims he has his sights set on a tough battle to secure Manchester City’s place in the top-four before focusing on securing another Premier League crown.
City claimed their fourth consecutive title last term, narrowly edging out Arsenal by a point on the final day of the season. And with Guardiola entering the final year of his deal at the Etihad, the defending Premier League champions will be hoping to make it an unprecedented five titles on the spin – in what could be the Spaniard’s final season in charge of City.
However, despite bagging six titles in eight years since his arrival at City back in 2016, Guardiola is well aware of the hurdles ahead. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has pinpointed six teams as major contenders this season that will push City.
READ MORE: New Premier League shirt rankings as Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal kits loved and hated
READ MORE:Ivan Toney not in Brentford squad vs Crystal Palace as ‘transfer message sent’
Sunday sees Guardiola and co take on one of those teams in their Premier League opener, with City travelling down to Stamford Bridge to take on Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. The City boss believes the Blues, alongside Manchester United, Newcastle United and Spurs will provide tough competition to his side, as well as Arsenal and Liverpool – who Guardiola does not believe it is “necessary to talk about”.
“Always at the beginning of the season, the first target is to finish in the top four,” Guardiola said. “People say: ‘Oh, come on’, I say ‘no’. Newcastle are not in Europe, and are going to play one game a week. Newcastle with one game a week this season will be the Newcastle of two seasons ago.
Who do you think will win the Premier League this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Image: Getty Images)
Learn more
In 24/25, the club’s timeless home jerseys shout even louder with bright red inserts on the sides and a subtle gradient design on the front and back. Made for supporters, this adidas football shirt includes moisture-managing AEROREADY and an embroidered badge.
From £80
Man United
Get your hands on the Manchester City Home Shirt 2024-25 from PUMA. The shirt pays homage to the City of Manchester and the Greater Manchester area with its 0161-telephone code in graffiti form on the collar and cuffs.
From £80
KitBag
“Arsenal are not necessary to talk about. Liverpool are not necessary to talk about. I know the signings of [Man] United, they are going to take the momentum and they will be there.
“Tottenham, I’m pretty sure they invest and with the young players and the manager knows better. There are a lot of teams – Chelsea again, the amount of players and their quality and the manager. Six or seven teams will be there and if you drop a little bit, you will be away.”
Guardiola added: “This is the reality that I have felt since the first season I arrived here and after we proved to ourselves that we can do it and to try to do it again. It’s simple. In the past, yes, with six from seven, we have conquered the Premier League – but now we start from zero.
(Image: Getty Images)
“There are 114 points to play (for) and we start from zero like everyone. Now we have to conquer again because they are not going to just give us the Premier League for the 24-25 season.”
“I understand when people say we are favourites – and we have to accept it. When you win four in a row and six in seven, it is normal that you are favourites. We have to live with that – but I know what we have to do. It is point by point that we must win and, of course, every season it becomes more difficult.”