Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Power: We need to be Euro kings
MANCHESTER CITY legend Paul Power has hailed Pep Guardiola’s side as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
But the former midfielder believes they need a Champions League crown to be considered true football royalty.
Power spent over a decade at the club and captained the side in the 1981 FA Cup final against Tottenham, and the replay that followed.
Now living in France, Power believes the unprecedented domestic treble would be an astonishing haul. But it’s European silverware that would add real polish to City’s achievements.
“Will they go down as one of the greatest sides in English football? Not until they win something significant in Europe,” said Power.
“One of my former managers, Billy McNeill, who died this week, is always remembered for winning it with Celtic. Manchester United have done it on three occasions and Liverpool have all their European Cups too.
“Players like Sergio Aguero will go down in Manchester City folklore, but this side really needs to win a big tournament like the Champions League to be considered as one of the greatest ever.”
Power believes this City side is the complete package – and one capable of adding the FA Cup and league to the League Cup.
“When Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are playing, City’s team is unbelievably difficult to stop scoring,” he said.
“Leroy Sane has so much trickery and pace and Raheem Sterling is so mature now – he has learnt to get into dangerous situations and do the right thing.
“Aymeric Laporte has given us a little bit of what Virgil van Dijk has given Liverpool at centre-back.
“Winning four competitions in a single season was always going to be a big ask – but three will do nicely.”