Big-spending Pep in the spotlight
GUARDIOLA NOW HAS TO DELIVER
Fortified by Manchester City’s £200 million overhaul, Pep Guardiola is under pressure to ensure his second season in the Premier League is far more successful than his torrid first.
Guardiola had a troubled debut campaign at the Etihad as the Spaniard failed to win a trophy for the first time in his storied managerial career.
Third-placed City finished 15 points behind Premier League champions Chelsea, crashed out of the Champions League against Monaco and failed to reach either of the domestic cup finals.
Guardiola has admitted such a lacklustre performance would have seen him sacked at his previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
However, City, who start their Premier League campaign at promoted Brighton today, always intended to give Guardiola time to rebuild.
That has involved spending big on five major signings.
Close to £130 million was invested in fullbacks as Guardiola shored up his defence with Tottenham’s Kyle Walker, Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy and Real Madrid’s Danilo.
Guardiola will hope goalkeeper Ederson, acquired from Benfica for £34.9 million, is less errorprone than Claudio Bravo, whose dismal season was a major factor in City’s failed title challenge.
City look stronger in attack too, with Bernardo Silva, bought from Monaco for £43 million, bringing extra creativity to the final third.
With January signing Gabriel Jesus over the injury trouble that stalled a promising start in England, City look well-placed to compete for all the major trophies.
However, Mendy is likely to be absent today with a thigh injury, while Silva may start on the bench, having had only a short pre-season after helping Portugal to the Confederations Cup semifinals. – AFP