Guernsey Press

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City ‘in an incredible mood’ ahead of new season

From the outside, the club’s pre-season has been less than ideal.

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Pep Guardiola feels his Manchester City squad are in great shape as they prepare to launch their latest Premier League campaign.

City return to action after a shortened summer break when they travel to Wolves on Monday evening.

From the outside, the club’s pre-season has been less than ideal.

City's record goalscorer Sergio Aguero will miss the start of the season through injury
City’s record goalscorer Sergio Aguero will miss the start of the season through injury (Martin Rickett/NMC Pool)

Injury has robbed them of the services of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who could be out of action for a further two months, while Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte are short of fitness after positive Covid-19 tests.

In addition to this there have been the distractions of heavy speculation linking them with Lionel Messi and Phil Foden’s disciplinary indiscretion while on international duty.

It has also been just five weeks since the 2019-20 season ended in disappointing fashion with a Champions League quarter-final defeat to Lyon.

“My feeling is good as always,” Guardiola said. “It’s a joy to work with these players at this club.

“I see the team in an incredible mood, and it is a joy to work with them, we’ve got good expectations to play good football, get the results this club deserves and continue the consistency that we got in the last few years.”

Despite finishing as runners-up, City were underwhelming in the Premier League last season, finishing a distant second to champions Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side were beaten nine times throughout the campaign.

City were beaten twice by Wolves last season
City were beaten twice by Wolves last season (Nick Potts/PA)

He said: “They are always strong. We played them in the Carabao Cup when they were in the Championship and it was tough, we won on penalties. It is always a really difficult game.

“Whether it’s Leicester or Leeds away, we know how tough it is.”

With the season beginning a month later than usual following last season’s suspension, but with a plan for time to be made up, City’s schedule will be intense.

“It is what it is,” Guardiola said. “We cannot change the situation. We have to adapt.”

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