But Pellegrini is confident that was an aberration, saying: “One of the things this team is not is predictable”. We have so many different ways to play – with two strikers, with one striker, without strikers.
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“As a team, I think they work really hard for each other as well and they seem to do exactly what the manager asks of them”, he said.
“Teams are always waiting with eight or nine players behind the ball, waiting for us to play. We try to make the movement to create space”.
City made their first January signing on Friday with the capture of midfielder Anthony Caceres from Central Coast Mariners for an undisclosed fee.
Pellegrini further confirmed that Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho will be in the squad for the visit of Crystal Palace.
However, Sterling, who praised Crystal Palace’s team ethic, feels Manchester City can come out victorious against Tony Pulis’ team if his side manage to play near their potential.
Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony and Eliaquim Mangala will all miss City’s home clash with Crystal Palace. They are three points below Leicester City and Arsenal.
Pellegrini added: “We continue being the highest scorers in the Premier League for the last three seasons”.
Palace have lost just one of their last six away games and will have an eye on some revenge here as Manchester City thumped Palace 5-1 in the league cup earlier in the season.
“It will not be easy for these clubs (Real) and they want to buy the top players”.
“(Adebayor) is in that group.
Both plan to appeal but may be left with just the remainder of the current transfer window to strengthen their squads, prompting suggestions Real, in particular, may look to quickly target the Barclays Premier League for reinforcements for Zinedine Zidane, their new coach.
“We still think another striker in the group would pay dividends given the position we’re in as we’re four (actually five) points off the Champions League positions. If we don’t have possession, that can be a matter of pace but we normally have possession in games”.
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Pardew remains without the injured Bolasie for Saturday’s Premier League fixture but could again have Dwight Gayle available after the forward’s return to training.
