Pep’s happy to blow budget on English talent
PeP GUARDIOLA is keen to buy english but admits Manchester City face a massive outlay to land his targets.
Sportsmail understands sunderland are expecting a bid for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, watched closely by City scouts in recent months. City are still interested in Tottenham left back Danny Rose and director of football Txiki Begiristain is monitoring Dele Alli’s situation but both have signed long-term contracts at White hart Lane.
Guardiola claimed signing top english talent is ‘impossible, it is so expensive,’ but should be heartened by City’s willingness to part with almost £100million for John stones and Raheem sterling over the past two seasons.
he has long been an admirer of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, a cheaper option but with lingering injury fears despite an encouraging campaign on loan at Bournemouth.
‘I am really impressed with how many good english players your country has,’ said Guardiola, whose side face stoke tonight.
‘Tottenham players; the english players are all amazing. I would like english players because they know the league and that is much better.
‘Chelsea players as well, like Gary Cahill, but not so many others. People don’t believe me but I would like them. When I was in Barcelona and Germany I liked to play with the locals, it’s special.
‘sometimes it is not possible. The market is the market. That’s why the club has worked with the academy for a long time to be thinking about the next years — with me or without me. hopefully with me. I’d like to enjoy these four or five guys, growing and playing with them.’
spaniard Brahim Diaz and english midfielders Phil Foden and Jadon sancho are knocking on the first-team door and will be included on the pre-season tour to the United states.
Meanwhile, Guardiola had a warning for Leroy sane, despite the forward having scored in his last three games during a spell of blistering form. sane is being shown video clips of his mistakes and Guardiola said: ‘sometimes he still disappears a little bit. he is a guy who still needs to improve.
‘I would not like him to believe or think that it’s already done, that he’s good enough. he can be better, especially in the simple things. You have to start with the simple things and then work on dribbling the ball, scoring goals, these kind of things. When he improves that... wow!
‘I like the wingers to be aggressive, to run in behind, be one against one. he has that quality.’