Pep Guardiola is bracing for a tough challenge to secure Manchester City’s place in the top four before turning his attention to another title push.
The Citizens claimed an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 2023/24 season, edging out Arsenal by a single point.
As Guardiola enters the final year of his contract, he will be eager to sign off on a high note should he decide to leave the Etihad.
Despite his impressive record of winning six titles in eight seasons since joining City in 2016, Guardiola is not underestimating the challenges ahead.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has identified six teams he expects to compete fiercely with this season.
Among them is Chelsea, who are set to be a formidable opponent under the management of Enzo Maresca.
Guardiola also anticipates that the significant strides Manchester United have made in the transfer market will further intensify the competition.
“Always at the beginning of the season, the first target is to finish in the top four,” Pep Guardiola said via the Mirror.
“People say: ‘Oh, come on’, I say ‘no’.
“Newcastle are not in Europe, and are going to play one game a week.
“Newcastle with one game a week this season will be the Newcastle of two seasons ago.
“Arsenal are not necessary to talk about. Liverpool are not necessary to talk about.
“I know the signings of United, they are going to take the momentum and they will be there.
“Tottenham, I’m pretty sure they invest and with the young players and the manager knows better.
“There are a lot of teams – Chelsea again, the amount of players and their quality and the manager.
“Six or seven teams will be there and if you drop a little bit, you will be away.
“This is the reality that I have felt since the first season I arrived here and after we proved to ourselves that we can do it and to try to do it again. It’s simple.”
Guardiola will lead his team to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, having already beaten the Blues in pre-season.
While he maintains a philosophical perspective on his team’s pursuit of another title, Guardiola acknowledges that his side is considered a strong favorite for the championship.
“In the past, yes, with six from seven, we have conquered the Premier League – but now we start from zero,” the Man City boss said.
“There are 114 points to play (for) and we start from zero like everyone.
“Now we have to conquer again because they are not going to just give us the Premier League for the 24-25 season.
“I understand when people say we are favourites – and we have to accept it.
“When you win four in a row and six in seven, it is normal that you are favourites.
“We have to live with that – but I know what we have to do. It is point by point that we must win and, of course, ever season it becomes more difficult.”
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