Pep: Maybe I am not good enough for City players

Matt Stead

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his “amazing” players” despite Manchester City’s current struggles in the Premier League.

City have lacked consistency since opening the season with 10 successive wins, and Guardiola conceded defeat in the title race after last weekend’s 4-0 loss at Everton left them 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Their form has raised questions of the quality of Guardiola’s squad and whether he believes he has the right players. This is something he resents.

He said: “They are good players. I have respect for the guys, so why would I say the guys are not good?

“So I don’t understand the lack of respect for the professionals when they have been amazing players, and (people saying) they are not good enough for me. Maybe I am not good enough for them.”

It’s not exactly the ‘shock admission’ the Daily Mirror’s David McDonnell sells the story as on their back page. It was more of a passing comment, a tactic to deflect criticism of his players rather than a general assessment of his credentials. But still.

“They are Manchester City players, top players,” he added. “They have a lot of quality. They have shown that many times in the past and this season.”

One player who has come in for particularly regular criticism is goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who was controversially brought in by Guardiola to replace England number one Joe Hart earlier in the campaign.

The 33-year-old Chilean did not make a single save last week as Everton scored from all four of their shots at Goodison Park, but Guardiola feels he himself must shoulder some of the blame for that.

Guardiola has not settled on a regular defensive line this term, making numerous changes in terms of both personnel and formation.

Asked if this may have been an issue, Guardiola said: “Maybe, maybe. Yes, maybe. Yes, (I take) all the responsibility as a manager.

“I never in my life – never – say the reason why we lost is because of Claudio Bravo. It’s one of the reasons why, but there are many many other reasons why.

“Maybe the reason why is because we changed the defence – maybe – but we will never know that.”