SPURS v MAN CITY PEP’S TITLE EQUATION!
PEP GUARDIOLA has made the bold claim that he could guarantee the Premier League title this season – if he had three players like Fernandinho.
Manchester City’s boss has been purring at the contribution of the Brazilian midfielder, who has proved a vital cog in the Spaniard’s blueprint for success at the Etihad.
Guardiola has heaped responsibility upon the 31-yearold’s shoulders to play at the heart of his engine room.
And Fernandinho’s response has left his manager in no doubt that he should get another contract when his deal runs out at the end of this season.
Expensive
He said: “What has happened so far would have been impossible without Fernandinho.
“If a t eam has t hree Fernandinhos, they would be champions.
“We have just one. But he is fast, he is intelligent, he is strong in the air and he can play several positions.
“When he sees a space, he runs there immediately.
“When you need to make a correction and you need someone to challenge – then he is there also.”
The former Barcelona boss said his responsibility began and ended on the training pitch.
He added: “I know how managers work in England – they control things.
“But here I am not a manager, I am a trainer. If I say I want a player, I give my reasons.
“If they come back and say he is too expensive and that we can’t buy him – fine. If we can, perfect. I try to discuss with Txiki Begiristain, (director of football) Ferran Soriano, (chief executive) and my assistant coaches about players.
“It was the same way in Barcelona. I give my opinion and, if it is possible to do that, we do it.
“And if the club decide my opinion is good here, hopefully, he will stay because I’ve just said what I think of him!”
Victories
The 3-3 Champions League draw at Celtic in midweek hardly brought Guardiola’s train off the tracks, but it did prove his players were human after 10 straight victories in all competitions so far.
Those credentials will be given another stiff test at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
However, one thing is for sure... Guardiola is not going to compromise the way he plays.
He said: “Nothing will change – these are my principles. I have to believe that with every part of my body.
“When I lose, I am sad and disappointed – but do I want to change the way I play? No way.
“But I have been surprised by the level of success so far. Next season we are going to have to play even better to win games because it is so difficult.
“The fact we won six games in a row does not mean it was easy. Before I came here, I was told the Premier League is the toughest in the world – that everyone can beat everyone.
“Now, I accept that. It’s not easy. It’s so difficult.
“But the best thing about it so far is that the players have wanted to follow. That’s the best thing that could have happened.”