= Pep Guardiola
I want a reaction from the whole organisation. Not just the players. We have an opponent in Arsenal who have the fire, almost two decades without winning the Premier League. I am explaining reality. Everything is so comfortable at City but opponents don’t wait.
The curtains rolled down on a unique, exhilarating premier league season, lulled by the FIFA World Cup; a season where a new potent force in the shape of Arsenal emerged from the shadows of mediocrity, wherein a small matter of Brighton punched above their weight to qualify for Europe, and where West Ham ironically got sucked into the relegation dog fight.
However, one narrative stood still, Man City being named the champions. This was confirmed after their title rivals Arsenal finally succumbed to a spirited Nottingham Forest side looking to secure premier league football next season. How does Man City do it? Talk of world football that is.
Man City have got Kevin Debruyne with his fabulous right and left feet clasped with his sagacity, Erling Haland’s finishing touch, Bernardo Silva’s quick feet and dribbling prowess and control machine Rodrigo. Jack Grealish’s guile cannot be understated either. The impermeable defence line led by Walker and Dias have been pivotal as well. Ikay Gundogan is a class act. The German is virtually wedded to brilliance. Let us not forget the ‘Arab’ money spilling from the oil wells of the Middle East. It’s the first reason City have got those galaxy of stars.
“I want a reaction from the whole organisation. Not just the players. We have an opponent in Arsenal who have the fire, almost two decades without winning the Premier League. I am explaining reality. Everything is so comfortable at City but opponents don’t wait.” Said Pep Guardiola, after the home against Spurs in January. His charisma moves the most dogged player. His passion inspires.
His team would win all but two games enroute to retaining the title on the back of that rant. He has now won five premier league titles in his seven years in England. He got his hands again on the FA Cup after edging arch rivals Manchester United in an epic final. Still awaiting is that late date night with Inter Milan on Saturday. That game could define City’s golden era. But City ultras should have faith, for with a genius such as Pep, magic always is in the air.
Regardless of what happens in the champions league final, Man City fanatics should souvenir these glory days because they don’t last forever; no one ever reigns in perpetuity.
There is curious case of: ‘what does the future hold?’ Well, City should lay a firm grip on their gemstone Pep and they will keep flapping happily. He is their insurance card for success. They will also hope to be exonerated of all the charges on financial fair play breaches thrust unto them by the premier league. The club publicly denied any wrong doing. The adjudicators will tell.
What about City’s foes? What have they got in store to dethrone the mighty champions? Arsenal need more fire power to bolster their quality in depth, lest they will remain title pretenders or the nearly men. Neighbours Man United are still at pains reconstructing their fallen empire, who knows for how long? Chelsea’s owners are lost in management. Actually chaos runs this club.
Can Pochettino lift their spirits? Fellow Londoners Spurs are in limbo, and worse still their talisman Harry Kane looks set to leave. Their situation is nothing short of doleful. Newcastle are still taking light steps to the pinnacle of English football.
They are in metamorphosis. Most certainly they will recruit players that can only sustain perennial Champions league football. A safer bet would perhaps be on Liverpool. But they have never recovered from Sadio Mane’s loss, their consistency and that full throttle football is no more. Besides Virgil Van Dijk’s powers are dwindling. A big summer awaits.
Article by. RAPHEAL LUBANGAKENE
