Manchester, August 5 (BNA) – Pep Guardiola said that the impressive margins that have decided the race for the English Premier League title in recent years mean that it is extremely important for Manchester City to shine when they start their campaign on Sunday.
City beat Liverpool by a point last season, and in the 2018-2019 season, Guardiola said any stumble could see a team out of the race by November when the league begins the World Cup break, Reuters reports.
“I feel every time we start the press conference this season is more difficult,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday ahead of the season opener against West Ham United. “I think next season couldn’t be more difficult but it is.
“Every club is getting better, the managers are very exciting and that’s why the Premier League is the best.
“(This year) there are two seasons, one is before the World Cup, you can’t win before but you can lose… We won the Premier League by one point, and we know we can win in 12-14 games. In a row, Liverpool too, You have to start well.”
Bernardo Silva has been linked with a move away from City and although Guardiola has said he wants the Portuguese midfielder to stay at the club, he will not force any players to stay.
“I hope Bernardo continues here, he is a very special player in the dressing room,” he added. “What will happen will happen, if he stays he is perfect, if he has to leave it is because football is like that.”
City are eyeing the signing of the left-back following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s departure to Arsenal and while target Mark Cucurella appears set to sign for Chelsea, Guardiola said he has a cap on the position until the end of the transfer window.
“Joao Cancelo is there, Nathan Ake can play there. We’ll see, we still have time until the end of the month,” Guardiola said.
Aymeric Laporte will miss the trip to West Ham after the 28-year-old defender underwent surgery for a knee injury.