Two days before the start of the must-win campaign, Pep Guardiola has spoken a little about the Community Shield and a little more about potential transfers. The most important statements.
On Sunday, Manchester City can win another title. At Wembley, the pre-season treble winners will play runners-up Arsenal in the Community Shield for the English Super Cup. “We finished two weeks later and started two weeks later than Arsenal,” coach Pep Guardiola piled on deep at his press conference on Friday, but promised to “try”.
However, the Catalan, for whom ManCity signed a new, old co-coach on Friday, was asked far more questions about possible arrivals and departures. Three names were in focus:
Gvardiol at medical – New ManCity offer for Walker?
Josko Gvardiol: The 21-year-old RB Leipzig centre-back is on the verge of a move to ManCity. Guardiola confirmed that Gvardiol is on site for a medical check, but did not want to say anything about his qualities yet. Only this much: “What a beautiful surname.” But wouldn’t six centre-backs like Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Gvardiol be too many for the time being? “No, absolutely not,” Guardiola replied. “There are so many games. “
Kyle Walker: FC Bayern, whose current priority is the striker issue, would still like to have the 33-year-old right-back in their ranks and can count on chances. Guardiola’s statements on Friday also spoke in favour of this. “We will try everything,” the Catalan repeated again, but also that he only wants players who are part of the team with full conviction. According to a report in The Athletic on Friday, ManCity have made Walker a second offer to extend his contract, which expires in 2024.
Bernardo Silva: The Portuguese is also – once again – flirting with a departure, and Guardiola also wants to fight for him because he is “so important”. “We lost two incredible players with Ilkay and Riyad (Mahrez), two personalities in the big games,” Guardiola said. “It would be so hard to lose Kyle and Bernardo” Eventually, he said, replacements would be needed, and expensive ones (“20, 30, 40, 50 million?”). Guardiola therefore warned that any interested party would have to submit a “reasonable offer” for Bernardo Silva and Walker, which has not yet happened. At the same time, for both of them, “We want them to stay because they really want to stay.” And there are question marks over both Walker and Bernardo Silva. The winger is reportedly being courted by FC Barcelona, among others.
