Pep’s Chelsea praise could be all in the mind

MANAGER BELIEVES ‘COMFORTABLE’ LEADERS CAN FALTER

PEP Guardiola ran the risk of being accused of mind games as the City manager plots a late title push.

Antonio Conte has already levelled that claim at his counterpart, who declared Chelsea champions in-waiting last month.

Slowly, but surely, belief has returned to the Etihad that Guardiola could yet be the architect of a dramatic come-from-behind title triumph.

The Catalan himself – having previously conceded the race to runaway leaders Chelsea – has let it be known to those around him that he believes Conte’s side could yet falter – despite going into the weekend with an 11-point lead.

Having witnessed City’s turnaround in form, stringing together an eight-game unbeaten run, Guardiola believes his side are well-placed to capitalise on any slip by the leaders.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Premier League basement club Sunderland, the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager was giving little away about his title ambitions.

But Conte – who was so quick to accuse Guardiola of engaging in psychological warfare before – may also read between the lines of his latest assessment of Chelsea.

“I think it’s a comfortable position,” said the City manager. “Everybody would prefer to be in Chelsea’s position because you are playing knowing that losing one game we will be top. If we lose two games we will be top. If we lose three games we will be top.

“When that happens, during the game, mentally you’re more relaxed, more confident.” More complacency perhaps? City can cut Chelsea’s lead to eight points with victory at the Stadium of Light, with the champions-elect playing West Ham on Monday.

The gap could be further reduced if City win at Stamford Bridge on April 5 – a game that has the potential to be pivotal in the title race.

Guardiola has not often played the role of pursuer in his trophyladen managerial career – but there is a sense of calm in his approach.

Such is Chelsea’s advantage that it is City who are playing with the freedom of a side with little to lose.

Ten goals in their last two games points to that and Guardiola recognises the strides his team have made in recent weeks.

“I am confident the most because every day my feeling is better,” he said.

“Our build-up is better – we create more chances in the last two games and scored 10 goals.

“So that is what I have to continue. To continue in that terms and after we’ll see how is our level at the end of the season.

“The last two or three months, I am talking about my team, thinking about the next game, step-by-step, focused, on target about what we have to do in the next game.

“Thinking about far away would be a big mistake on our side. Big mistake.”