I’m not going window shopping

PEP Guardiola is adamant City will not be making any new signings in the January transfer window, despite seeing his side suffer a fifth Premier League defeat in 19 games this season at Wolves.

The 3-2 defeat at Molineux leaves the Blues 14 points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and they have all but surrendered their Premier League crown.

City’s failure to strengthen in key areas last summer has cost them this term, but Guardiola is insistent that spending money in January isn’t the answer, and when he was asked if the club would strengthen in January, he replied: “Nope”.

City’s five defeats in less than half a season this year contrasts starkly with their record of just six losses in their previous two title-winning campaigns.

The Blues lost six league games in Guardiola’s first season in charge, when they finished third, but he rejected the notion that this campaign was beginning to reflect his first year at the Etihad, when he responded by overhauling the squad in the summer of 2017.

“No, it is different,” Guardiola said when asked if this season was beginning to show similarities to his first.

“You have to analyse the game today. Eighty minutes, 10 against 11. The other team is really good. We knew it but it’s completely different with a man less. The quality they have. We have to fight to go for the second position.”

One player who Guardiola doesn’t expect to leave in January is Joao Cancelo, who has been linked with a loan move away from the Etihad. Asked if the full-back would be staying, he said: “I hope so, I think so.”