Pep Guardiola is a master at conducting press conferences. The experienced manager, for years, has dodged tricky questions that criticize his team. Pep has managed to protect his team and players well and is rarely seen as pessimistic. But the Spanish manager’s remarks on his team’s performances have raised the eyebrows of many.
Pep Guardiola has been vocal against media critiques who have deemed City’s season so far as a ‘failure’, after the team’s unusual form in the 23/24 season. Man City has slipped to fourth on the table with 30 points at the end of matchday 15.
Regardless of that, Manchester City’s lowest Premier League position in the last 5 years is 2nd, when they finished as runners-up in the 2019/20 season. City finished second following a wonderful season by Liverpool that saw them becoming English Champions for the first time in 30 years. City has won every Premier League season afterward, starting with the 20/21 season.
🔵 Guardiola: “For many years, we’re main favourite, candidates to win everything”.
“When we were out in the semi-finals of the UCL, oh… it’s a big disaster. This was our levels”.
“But what they demand to us, they don’t demand to the other ones my friends, at all!”. pic.twitter.com/y2pCQlki7j
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2023
Man City’s lowly PL position has called for a lot of criticism from different sections of the media. Some say that City’s Premier League performances given the talent at their disposal. Whereas, others have called out the current team for not being able to match the standards of City teams in the past.
A disgruntled Pep has decided to speak on this issue. Speaking to the press ahead of Man City’s match ahead of Luton, the Spaniard said:
“For many years, we’re the main favorite, candidates to win everything”. “When we were out in the semi-finals of the UCL, oh… it’s a big disaster. This was our level”. “But what they demand of us, they don’t demand of the other ones my friends, at all!”.
Pep has criticized the fans and the media alike for their unfair assessment of his team’s performances. Pep believes that the bar is set too high for the current City team.
A lot of the key players from the 22/23 season have left City and the club hasn’t got their like-for-like replacements yet. The long list includes veterans like Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, and Aymeric Laporte who were key players of the squad. Pep, stating that the media isn’t giving the team proper time for a transition, has requested some patience and time.
Erling Haaland is out of the squad for Manchester City’s game against Luton Town
Erling Haaland’s mystery exclusion from the City for their game against Luton Town has shocked City fans. The club hasn’t specified if it’s an injury or a personal issue.
The Norwegian has been very crucial for Man City in the 23/24 season, as he is the Premier League’s top scorer. Erling Haaland has a G/A of 18 in 14 Premier League games for Manchester City.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Erling Haaland is NOT with the Manchester City squad to face Luton Town.
[@JakeGorfin] pic.twitter.com/57wgr7uECE
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) December 9, 2023
Despite Haaland’s absence, the return of some key players would bless City. Jack Grealish has returned from injury whereas Rodri has served his 2-game suspension and is expected to be back in the starting line-up. Although, Kevin De Bruyne is still not back for some action for City. The club expects De Bruyne to be able to play again in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Man City would hope to end its winless run with a win against Luton Town. If Man City fails to do that, it would be the first time since 2009, that The Cityzens would go 5 games without a win.