Pep impressed by Clement’s Swans
PEP GUARDIOLA believes relegation-threatened Swansea are now a force to be reckoned with under Paul Clement.
Swansea have climbed out of the Premier League’s bottom three with three wins from four games since former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich assistant manager Clement took charge last month.
Manchester City boss Guardiola is expecting a difficult afternoon as the Swans visit the Etihad Stadium today.
He said: ‘I am really impressed. I saw their game against Liverpool and I have started to watch the game against Southampton.
‘I tried to discover the way to attack them and — wow — I couldn’t find it. It’s so complicated.
‘When I see their games I can see his hands on it. They are so well organised.
‘There is no space in the middle. When you go and attack outside they defend really well in the box. Then they have long balls to the striker with (Fernando) Llorente. They have quality players for the counter-attack.
‘It will be a really tough game, one of the toughest until the end of the season.
‘Now they are in a good moment, won three of the last four but is also the way they play. They won at Anfield and beat Southampton, big teams. It will be really tough but, hopefully, we can win two in a row.’
Guardiola has been pleased with his forwards but also recognises the defence has tightened up.
He added: ‘The last two games we have made a clean sheet. I think it’s easier to solve the problems in our box than the opponents’.
‘The most difficult thing in football is to score a goal. That’s why the guys who score the goals are the most valued players.’