Pep Guardiola talks about the importance of Saturday’s Premier League heavyweight clash with the champions.
In the manager’s Friday afternoon press conference, he referred to the Premier League champions as “killers” in relation to their ability to finish off and win games.
Guardiola admitted that he respects a lot of what Chelsea do in order to grind out victories.
“I admire many many things about what Chelsea do. They control all the aspects of what they do. That’s why they won last year.
“They are strong, they are all tall and strong and a really big team. Stamford Bridge against the last champions will be a really good test for us.”
When talking on our recent defensive form, the manager admits that new signing Ederson has had a lot to do with our recent form at the back.
“he’s fast, strong, young and a calm guy. It’s important to have two top keepers in Europe and we have two top keepers.
“We have a feeling that when we attack, we can score goals and when they attack, we are solid.
“It is so so important to be solid in the middle and the back and hopefully we can finish in that way.”
However, it is clear to the manager that the loss of Benjamin Mendy will be quite a large setback for City in the upcoming months.
“We can’t replace Mendy, in the way he plays, his energy is difficult to find. We have to play a different way. Every player has his different qualities.”
Although Guardiola has a number of options at left back, there will be a very large gap to fill in Mendy’s absence.
Watch part one of Pep Guardiola’s press conference.
