Joe McConnell
Pep Guardiola says he has felt revitalised by the summer break and is ready to lead Manchester City in their bid to win a seventh Premier League title in eight seasons.
Last season City won their fourth consecutive title, after which Guardiola admitted he “don’t know what the motivation will be” for next season, adding: “The reality is I’m closer to leaving than staying.”
But after a summer break that included a reunion with members of the Barcelona B team he led to the third division title during his first season as manager in 2008, the 53-year-old said he was ready for City’s Premier League debut against Chelsea on Sunday, live on Vscek.
Sunday 18th August at 4pm
Start at 4:30pm
“The competition puts me in the position I want to be in,” Guardiola said. “In pre-season I’m a bit flatter, but when I get to the Community Shield something ignites – and I hope in the players too – to do it again.
“When you get to the end of the season, you’re always a little tired. When you take a break from your work and disconnect a little, you bring energy back. It’s necessary.
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“To work better, you have to relax and do other things. Otherwise it doesn’t work.
“Sometimes I’m tired and then I rest. That’s why I have my staff to help me. I wasn’t like that before, but it’s not productive.
“If you don’t have enthusiasm, passion and desire, don’t be here. That’s the key.
“The pressure is a little less because we did it – it gives you a little peace. When you win, you live better.”
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“The title is not my motivation at the moment”
However, Guardiola admits that his motivation as he begins his ninth Premier League season is not to win the title, but rather insists that City must first secure a top-four finish.
“When we start, the target will be to get into the top four,” Guardiola said. “Newcastle will play one game a week and so it will be the Newcastle of two seasons ago.
“We don’t need to talk about Arsenal and Liverpool, and in the end there will also be Manchester United.
“Tottenham invest and the manager knows them better. Chelsea, with the amount of players and the manager, I think they will be there.
“If you go down a little, you leave: this is the reality I have experienced since the first season I arrived here.
“We won six games out of seven, we won the Premier League. But we start from scratch. There are 114 points to play for.
“When people say we are the favorites, we have to accept it and live with it. Every season it is more difficult.”
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Enzo Maresca has said that Conor Gallagher will not play in Chelsea’s opening Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday and that the club is looking to resolve his future
City’s first test will be against Chelsea, who will play under Enzo Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant, for the first time since replacing Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
Last season Chelsea drew both Premier League games against City and Guardiola said: “Everyone wants to beat us, it’s normal.
“So, look at yourself and we can always improve. If we all step up a little, our strength will be 11 times better.
“Now, the motivation to win another Premier League is not there for me anymore. It will be in the last month. Now it’s ‘can we beat Chelsea?’ We didn’t beat them last season.
“It won’t be a perfect match against Chelsea. We’re not at our best, that’s normal.”
Watch Chelsea vs Manchester City on Sunday, live on Vscek Premier League from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm. Stream the Premier League and more with NOW.
