Credit: Twitter
Pep Guardiola, the manager of reigning Premier League and FA Cup champions, addressed the transfer rumours surrounding the club, regarding players like Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva, ahead of the FA Community Shield. The curtain raiser of the 2023-24 English football season will be played between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Wembley Stadium in London, on August 6, Sunday.
After losing players like Ilkay Gundagon to FC Barcelona and Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli, the main man at Manchester City talked about the potential of more first-team regulars going out the door in the ongoing transfer window. Kyle Walker is heavily linked to Bayern Munich, while Bernardo Silva could leave the treble-winning side to join his former teammate at Barca.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Community Shield, Pep Guardiola was quoted as saying, “And regarding Kyle and Bernardo, they’re so important players for us…. We want him (them) to stay because he (they) want to stay. We will do everything. It’s not like ‘Gundo,’ where his contract is finished. We will do everything. To replace these two players is so, so difficult.”
Then, the 52-year-old reminded everyone about Manchester City losing Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahez and said, “We lost two incredible players for us, Ilkay and Riyad. In the last seasons (they) were massively important, incredible, goals and assists, and personalities in the biggest stages and big and important games.”
“To lose Kyle and Bernardo will be so difficult. That’s why we are going to do everything to keep them,” opined the Manchester City manager.
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Manchester City boss wants commitment from players who stay at the club
Pep Guardiola also mentioned how he wants to work with players who are willing to stay at the club while working with their fellow players and staff. He said, “I don't want any players who don't want to be here but I'm an employee. I want to work with guys who want to stay and work with staff and players, but after we have to get a proper offer. ”
“If we don't get a proper offer, he's our player and we want him. If they want him, they will take a plane and come here and talk to our sporting director and CEO to make an agreement because three parts have to be there,” added the Spanish manager.
