Pep: Still plenty to fight for

Manchester – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his side could be set for an overhaul in the summer after falling 22 points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Guardiola will definitely lose David Silva, who has already announced he will leave the club at the end of the season after a decade.

However, the Catalan coach does not believe he needs the same degree of change like after a difficult first season in Manchester when the arrival of six new players inspired a romp to the title with a record 100 points.

“This group of players has done something unique – they have won the last six of the last seven domestic trophies in England. I admire them and I suffer with them when they don’t get what they deserve,” said Guardiola.

“Of course we have to do something because David Silva is leaving and in some other positions we are going to do it, but I don’t know how many or how much because the market is always difficult.

“There are still two or three months to go and things can change a lot in that time.”

City could still turn a hitherto disappointing campaign into a glorious one as they face Aston Villa in the League Cup final in three weeks’ time. They have progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup and are preparing for a blockbuster Champions League last 16 clash with Real Madrid.

“There are still incredibly nice things still to fight for,” added Guardiola.

“We are in the EFL Cup final in three weeks, we are still in the FA Cup, we want to try and finish second in the league and we have two big games against Real Madrid in the Champions League.”

One of those who could be sacrificed by City to make room and resources for summer signings is John Stones.

He has been scarcely used by Guardiola this season despite a lack of cover at centre-back.