Manager has “the feeling” that his side will come good and says Rodri can help them
Manchester City are not at their best but they are “close”, manager Pep Guardiola has said. The club are currently fifth in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal, but the Spaniard believes his team are close to rediscovering their rhythm.
“I think I had the feeling – I said a month ago that these words would be completely devastating if you don’t get results, I know that – but I had the feeling when I see the team, when I see in the dressing room, in the trainings, and how we apply, how we want to try to do things, I had the feeling,” Guardiola said.
“I think Rodri can come [to] his best – he will not be soon at his best, but he can help us. Alongside all the alternatives I can have, we will be a team that will be difficult for the opponents to beat us.
“And this is what I want. Will we be still close to the fight [for the title then]? I don’t know.”
After winning four league titles in a row – the first side in the competition to do it – Guardiola’s team struggled last season after midfielder Rodri suffered a season-ending injury. City even found it difficult to qualify for the Champions League, managing to do so only on final day.
This season they have had a mixed start. And so has Rodri, his full recovery from injury so far hindered by setbacks. Guardiola said he could play a part at the weekend against Bournemouth.
“I think he will be ready to help us,” said Guardiola. “I don’t know if he will be able to play from the beginning, but hopefully he can be with us.”
City’s manager also hailed the Premier League as the best in the world because of the intense competition.
“The Premier League has always been like this – all the teams can beat each other, it is good,” said Guardiola. “I think for the spectator and for the show of the Premier League it is really, really good.
“I remember when I was in [Bayern] Munich or Barcelona, I always heard the rumours that in England, everyone could beat everyone. I always had that sense.
“Maybe Liverpool and ourselves in the past changed that dynamic because we were so consistent in terms of points and arriving every season with 90, 90, 90 points, close to 100 points.”
