Pep Guardiola has come out to state that the fierce competition for places in his Manchester City team is exciting for him.
The former Barcelona manager has managed some of the best players and talents at Manchester City in the last seven years. A number were brought in for huge transfer fees while a number were handpicked from among exciting talents.
All of them have been able to deliver the goods for a City team that truly came into prominence a little over 15 years ago and became a global football power when Guardiola took over the club in 2016.
There has also been fierce competition for the starting XI in every team he has coached as Manchester City manager and the 2023/24 season is no different. It is even more glaring in the ongoing season as the Spaniard has rotated quite a lot in just four months of action across all competitions.
His man-management skills have also been greatly praised as he has no history of a major falling out with an unhappy player – those who are unhappy are let go immediately for squad harmony.
Guardiola was speaking after his side’s defeat of AFC Bournemouth at the weekend and ahead of City’s UEFA Champions League clash with Young Boys when he was asked how he handles the incredible depth in his squad.
“Ruben [Dias] is so important, Josko [Gvardiol] didn’t play today. And maybe Josko and Ruben are going to play the next game and they have to be there,” the boss told the press in his post-match media briefing. “Everyone is incredibly involved. And they compete with each other.”
“I want Jack [Grealish] angry. I want him to play good. And [Jeremy] Doku to be angry like he didn’t play the last two games.”
“This is the way to maintain the consistent level. But Jack is back, the way he played in Old Trafford to give us more composure in that position. It was decisive for us.”
“But we need everyone. A lot of games come. Everyone has to compete.”
“If you don’t play, train better the next day, the moment is coming, when you do this and mentally here, you perform well and when you perform well, we are going to win games and you will be happy, everyone will be happy and this is what you have to do.”
Manchester City are now top of the Premier League table, a position that is familiar to them, following Chelsea’s defeat of 9-man Tottenham Hotspur on Monday 6 November 2023.
Many believe that their title defence has officially begun and the rest of the favourites for this season’s title will be playing catch up.
