This archive report was first published on 7 May 2021.
Manchester City's pursuit of the Premier League title has taken on a new dimension with the team's upcoming clash against Chelsea. The match, scheduled for Saturday, has been dubbed a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final, but manager Pep Guardiola is keen to emphasize that his focus remains solely on securing the English title.
Guardiola's comments come as Manchester City need three points to confirm their third title in four years. The team has won 22 of their last 26 league games, with a wobbly start to the campaign being a distant memory.
"Right now, there is not one thought about the final as we don't have the Premier League in our hands," Guardiola said in a recent interview. "When we have the Premier League, tomorrow in the next weeks, then the focus will be on the Champions League and everything related to it. But I'm so cautious to think if you don't have it then don't talk. We still need points."
"Right now, there is not one thought about the final as we don't have the Premier League in our hands," Guardiola said in a recent interview. "When we have the Premier League, tomorrow in the next weeks, then the focus will be on the Champions League and everything related to it. But I'm so cautious to think if you don't have it then don't talk. We still need points." Guardiola's comments highlight the importance he places on the Premier League title, which he believes is the benchmark by which he judges his team. "I always said that the Premier League is the most important title," he said. "The Champions League is so special and nice but this one means consistency and many things." "I always said that the Premier League is the most important title," he said. "The Champions League is so special and nice but this one means consistency and many things." While City, barring something extraordinary, will cruise to the Premier League title, Chelsea's arrival under manager Thomas Tuchel has seen the London club emerge as a potentially significant threat to City's dominance. Guardiola has paid Tuchel a huge compliment, acknowledging the former Paris St Germain boss's impressive track record. "I have a lot of respect for Thomas Tuchel. He has been in Mainz, Dortmund, PSG and now here," Guardiola said. "The teams are always a joy to watch. I have not been working with him so I don't know (what he does), but I am not surprised. Huge compliments for what they have done so far." "I have a lot of respect for Thomas Tuchel. He has been in Mainz, Dortmund, PSG and now here," Guardiola said. "The teams are always a joy to watch. I have not been working with him so I don't know (what he does), but I am not surprised. Huge compliments for what they have done so far." Guardiola's comments also highlight the significant financial resources available to both Manchester City and Chelsea, which he believes are a key factor in their success. "When he was in Mainz he could not win titles but at PSG he could, we need good players -- like all managers, it's no secret," Guardiola said. "I've been at three amazing clubs, incredible structure, support and players. There's no more secrets. A team without the financial power or these players I'd not be able to be a machine. I can say we are lucky to be in these powerful clubs." "When he was in Mainz he could not win titles but at PSG he could, we need good players -- like all managers, it's no secret," Guardiola said. "I've been at three amazing clubs, incredible structure, support and players. There's no more secrets. A team without the financial power or these players I'd not be able to be a machine. I can say we are lucky to be in these powerful clubs."
