“I came through the best academy in the world at Barcelona and when I arrived in the first team, I already knew players like Pedro and Busquets and settled in quickly”. I told him, explained exactly what happened.
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City believe that the Iheanacho would benefit more from spending a full pre-season working with Guardiola as the player seeks to establish himself as a first-team regular. The low point came during a Spanish Super Cup meeting in 2011, when Mourinho was captured on film poking Barca’s then-assistant boss Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline brawl.
Guardiola “I proved myself in Catalonia and I proved myself in Germany and now I want to prove myself in England”. I played against Manchester City many times and I know their quality, but they have to show me again. I don’t expect anything, but I expect that I could get to another level and to improve myself a lot. “I need to work extra hard and I will get a chance”, he added.
Some of City’s players are dismayed at the jettisoning of personnel with whom they had forged trusted relationships, but Guardiola is determined to work with his own people.
“We think we have the platform here for everybody to succeed but it’s going to be extremely hard”. I like players who think about themselves but also about Manchester City. The reason we are here is thinking “what can we do to make this club a better club”.
Going to Brazil for the Olympics for the football tournament, which takes place between August 3 and 20, would have resulted in him missing the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Guardiola is set to resume his bitter and long-running rivalry with Mourinho, who starts his job as manager at neighbours Manchester United today.
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Having finished fourth in the Premier League last season, City is now required to play a qualifying match this month to advance to the group stages of the competition. “It will be a big season for me, and for every player”. “That’s why I’m always curious to move in Europe and learn what it’s like to live in England”.
