Cityzens face Chelsea this weekend before a title decider against Arsenal
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must win all of their remaining games if they are to stay in the Premier League title race.
City sit on 61 points from 30 matches, nine behind leaders Arsenal, although they have a game in hand. A crucial run of fixtures begins with a trip to Chelsea, followed by a home clash against Arsenal.
“Hopefully we can get a lot of points,” Guardiola said. “In the situation we are in the Premier League, we need to win all of them, otherwise it will not give us the chance to try until the end.
“We have not been consistent enough this season. We have dropped points that we should have taken, which is why we are now in the position where we cannot do anything differently.”
City’s task is complicated by defensive injuries. Ruben Dias remains unavailable with a muscle problem, while Josko Gvardiol is still sidelined with a tibial fracture sustained earlier this year.
Guardiola also addressed the future of Bernardo Silva, who City assistant Pep Ljinders has said will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season after nine years at the club.
“He is not the tallest one, the most muscular one, or the guy who scores 50 goals or makes 50 assists a season,” Guardiola said. “These are the types of players that get the spotlight. But after nine years, I know him quite well and I know what a manager requires.
“All managers love him because he is incredibly competitive and has a fire inside him. In the toughest moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there.
“He has been an incredible signing for us. I love this club and I would love for him to stay and finish his career here, but I do not know. He will decide what he will decide. It is his decision.”
