Manchester City FC:
Pep Guardiola: “Everybody asked for this Man City line-up, I follow my fans! We’re not going to discover what they mean, they come back from World Cup with niggles, Rico [Lewis] and the other guys have been fantastic.”
Pep Guardiola: “Before every game, I’m asked the reason why. Sometimes it’s not a specific reason. There are many things. Since I arrive, I’m not a guy who will pick 11 players all the time… If a guy doesn’t play all season, it’s not nice.”
Pep Guardiola: “We would prefer to be eight points in front. We have won four PL’s in the last five years. It’s not normal to be eight points clear.”
Pep Guardiola: “Many times in the past seasons we played with an extra player in the middle but now we have an extra player closer to the goal. That means we have had to adjust but we are delighted with Erling [Haaland].”
Pep Guardiola: “I take a look individually how they are when they come back [to Man City]. The happiest by far was Julian [Alvarez]. Step by step, take a look, first day, second day, how they’re training. It is important to look at the body language, the mood, how they look.”
Pep Guardiola: “Try to take a good decision with the line up. Step by step the guys come back to reality and ready to play every game.”
Ilkay Gundogan: “In the last few years – in December, January, February – we have been amazing in terms of winning the games. Just a few days ago, we dropped points but we are here now and prepared. To get to the top again, we need a winning run.”
Pep Guardiola on why Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden return to the Man City starting XI: “Because the fans want these players to play. That should be a good answer.”
PL table update: Man City are now five points behind Arsenal after the 0-1 win vs. Chelsea tonight.
John Stones vs. Chelsea:
102 Touches
85 Accurate Passes
97.7% Pass Accuracy
7 Accurate Long Balls
4 Clearances
4 Aerial Duels Won
3 Ground Duels Won
2 Tackles
1 Interception
1 Blocked Shot
Rico Lewis completed 100% of his passes after coming on at half-time vs. Chelsea. 18 years-old. ⭐️✅
John Stones: “I feel like I’ve been in a good zone for the past two or three years. I have had to work on my game and be a better player and person.”
Jack Grealish on his assist vs Chelsea: “I’ve put my head down to cross it and straight away I’m thinking, Erling Haaland’s got to be somewhere.”
Jack Grealish on his assist vs. Chelsea: “It was weird because I was speaking to Riyad [Mahrez] inside and he thought the keeper would get it and so did I.”
Jack Grealish: “I said to him [Erling Haaland], ‘Where were you?’ He said because everyone was in there he pulled back.”
Pep Guardiola on his substitutions vs. Chelsea: “I’m a genius.”
Jack Grealish: “I didn’t think I was coming on, and then Riyad [Mahrez] said, ‘Jack you’re coming on!’ And I was like, ‘Oh buzzin’, see ya later!’”
Pep Guardiola: “I wanted to put Riyad [Mahrez] on in the first-half vs Chelsea. I felt so sorry for Joao [Cancelo] because he struggled in not his natural position.”
Pep Guardiola on his first-half formation vs. Chelsea: “We didn’t play good. I admire, thank you to Joao [Cancelo] and Rodri not playing their position. We decided to play a line-up that adapts to their line-up. Second-half miles better in all departments.”
Pep Guardiola: “In the last games, Rico [Lewis] has ability to make his mates play better. He knows exactly when to go inside, what to do. He changed the game. Manu [Akanji] was really good. Kyle [Walker] also finished the half really good after a long time.”
Pep Guardiola on John Stones: “He played an extraordinary World Cup. He held the build up perfectly. He is playing the best level since we arrived together at Man City. When he is stable in his head and his mood his good, he is excellent.”
