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Thursday, July 02, 2020, 18:08
Guardiola: Man City must rebuild for title challenge
By Reuters
Thursday, July 02, 2020, 18:08 By Reuters

Manchester City's Kyle Walker, top, is challenged by Newcastle's Danny Rose during the FA Cup sixth round soccer match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England, June 28, 2020. (OWEN HUMPHREYS / POOL VIA AP)

Manchester City must rebuild if they are to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next season, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

City’s reign as champions ended after last week’s defeat by Chelsea left Liverpool with an insurmountable lead

City’s reign as champions ended after last week’s defeat by Chelsea left Liverpool with an insurmountable lead.

Guardiola, whose team will give Liverpool a guard of honour when they meet at the Etihad Stadium later on Thursday, said the need to rebuild was one all clubs faced.

“We have to rebuild. It happens at clubs around the world,” he said. “We have to accept it and take the right decisions to try to maintain the level that we have.

“We have exceptional players but after the season finishes we will reflect.”

City have already conceded 10 more goals in the league than they did in the whole of last season’s title-winning campaign, and still have seven games left.

ALSO READ: Holders Man City cruise past Newcastle into FA Cup semis

Midfielder Fernandinho, 35, and striker Sergio Aguero, 32, are out of contract at the end of next season while David Silva, City’s 34-year-old captain, will leave at the end of the current campaign.

“Fernandinho and Sergio have one year left,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know if they will extend or not. Some players have to be replaced, but it’s not a disaster or a bad thing, it’s part of football.”

Guardiola also defended the decision to sell winger Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich, saying, “If guys don’t want to stay, they have to leave.

READ MORE: Chelsea beat Man City 2-1 to hand league title to Liverpool

“We are not getting the best of these players if in their mind they are not happy here.”


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