Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of the Community Shield vs Manchester United.
With the Premier League now just a week away, both Manchester clubs will return to Wembley on Saturday for a rematch of last season’s FA Cup final.
The Community Shield is up for grabs this time and Manchester City will be hoping to get revenge on their neighbours after May’s shocking defeat.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo gave Manchester United the trophy, with Jeremy Doku’s late consolation not enough to turn things around.
Though just a glamorous friendly, the Community Shield gives City a chance to get back to winning ways and a confidence boost ahead of facing Chelsea in their opening game of the season.
The game could see summer signing Savinho make his City debut after his move from Troyes. The Brazilian met up with his teammates this week after sitting out the tour of America.
Pep Guardiola spoke to the press on Friday ahead of the trip to London and discussed Julian Alvarez’s impending departure and speculation linking him to the England job.
Here is everything he said.
- Who is Julian Alvarez? The story of the striker who won it all at Man City before joining Atletico Madrid
- Who is Savinho? The ‘special’ starlet who tore up La Liga and is Man City’s first transfer of the summer
Why does Alvarez want to leave
“I don’t know the reason why. He said to me he wants a new challenge, he feels it’s what he has to do. Last season he played a lot, some moments played with Erling as well, but I understand in certain moments, important moments, maybe he thought he was going to play. I respect a lot.
“I’ve said many times, I’m a part of the club, I sit with the club many times, at the end the club has the end decision but I like to say to the players what they have to do. The contract is nice, have a contract but contracts can be broken.
“If you’re not happy why should be here? You know? If you believe happiness is around another corner, you have to go there to take a lot.
He believes his period here must be over and okay. So both clubs arrive at an agreement and that’s all.
[Link]What would it take for you to be England manager?
“I will have to decide what I want to do with my life. Do I want to continue here, take a break, manage international teams or not. Many things.
Right now I’m here, as you arrive at the competition my energy rises again. Fully I would say excited for the season, because I see things I like. A new challenge. Like are we able to break our own record? Last season we break the record [four titles in a row], never have done it before. We will see what’s the ambitions of ourselves and looking forward to coming back all together, restart and see how we behave every day.
[Link]Thoughts on Alvarez leaving
“First of all I want to say the gratitude from Julian, our two years here we won everything together. His contributions have been massive. Been part of the starting XI and being part for sometimes in the certain moments. It was incredible. He’s incredible love in the team for his behaviour.
“But as I’ve said many times with other players, he wants to leave, he wants a new challenge. Atletico Madrid is a top, top club in Spain, in Europe. When they suggest me through the club that he wants to leave, I said: ‘It’s okay if you want to leave.’ It’s sad but imagine he stay here when he doesn’t want to stay.
“But at same time we have to reach an agreement with both club, it’s happened. Both clubs are happy. I wish him all the best, looking forward to seeing him back to say bye to all of us and yeah nothing more than that. It was a joy to work with him, I learn a lot from him because managers learn a lot with the players. Hopefully, he can find what he was looking for.”
Will a signing be made?: “I don’t know yet. We talk every day, we see what happens. I don’t know yet. Can happen, can not happen. I don’t know.”
[Link]Who’s back after the break?
We try to give them the best rest as possible, as much as possible. We’d like to give them more time but it is what it is. We gave them a lot. All the players come back, England players and Rodri will come back next week. So we like to give them, is what it is.
It’s better I don’t think about the schedule. I don’t see the picture. What’s next? Training session. Step by step, otherwise you’ll: ‘Oh m god, what’s going to happen?’ It’s just, step by step, next game and try to be smart enough to training the right amount of time. Be fresh in your mind, so fresh, rotate players as much as possible and game by game. We’ll see what happens.”
[Link]How important is it to win tomorrow?
“It is. It’s important, a final against United. But apart from that to try and refine ourselves, step by step. Our break for most of the players, the young players how they perform on a big stage. We go for it.”
[Link]Possible talking points
Here is what Guardiola could be asked about in today’s presser.
– When Foden, Walker, Stones and Rodri will be back
– Is it important to start strong and defeat United?
– How has Savinho looked in training? Could he make his debut?
– Feelings ahead of Chelsea next week?
– Will McAtee and O’Reilly be involved?
Could Savinho make his debut?
New signing Savinho sat out the tour of America after completing his move to City but could be in line for his debut at Wembley.
It’ll be exciting to see what the Brazilian winger can do, especially given United have a depleted defence.
City looking to end Community Shield hoodoo
City have been in the last three Community Shield matches but have not won any of them, losing to Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester City.
The Blues last lifted the shield in 2019 and will be looking to end that unwanted streak against United.
Transfer news
It appears promising youngster Micah Hamilton is edging closer to an exit. Here is the latest report.
Good morning!
Welcome to Manchester City News’ coverage of Pep Guardiola’s press conference ahead of facing Manchester United in the Community Shield.
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