Shay: Blues to be Prem true greats
SHAY GIVEN has no worries about whether Manchester City can do it on a cold Monday night at Stoke.
The former Republic of Ireland keeper spent 20 years in the Premier League – and he reckons Pep Guardiola’s team can become the best he’s ever seen.
“I played against some great sides – and City have to now be up there with the very best,” said Given (inset).
“Other people will talk about Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles or the Fergie side that did the Treble with Manchester United.
“But, in my opinion, just the brand of football City play already puts them on a par with those two teams.
“What they will have to do next is win big trophies on a regular basis. And if City can have a sustained period of success – winning multiple titles and also the Champions League – then they will have to be considered the best the Premier League has ever seen. “I have never seen another team produce this kind of football, creating chances, scoring goals and just tearing teams apart.” Given played for both City and Stoke during a career that also took him to Blackburn and Aston Villa. He won 134 caps for the Republic. While City go into tomorrow night’s game on the brink of a third title in seven seasons, the Potters need points for very different reasons. Given said: “It’s so tight down at the bottom that I think 37 points might be enough to stay up this season. “There will be no club in the bottom half thinking they’re safe because it is so easy to get sucked into it.”