Pep Guardiola makes confident claim on Manchester City executives following Premier League financial allegations

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the club are in a strong position to defend themselves against the Premier League’s hefty financial allegations.

The Premier League champions were charged with over 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules that took place between 2009-18 following a four-year investigation.

City host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as they look to get back to winning ways after a narrow loss to Tottenham last week.

Harry Kane scored the only goal of the tie as Tottenham edged Pep Guardiola’s men, who displayed an uncharacteristically toothless and lacklustre display in north London.

On Friday afternoon, Guardiola spoke to the press for the first time since the Premier League sanctioned Manchester City for breaching financial fair play related regulations earlier this week.

The Catalan was asked to what extend had he communicated with City’s chairman and chief executive officer, Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano, since the news that came out on Monday morning.

“I would say they are more confident (than after the UEFA ban) because they have a lot of information, a lot of papers that they can show (to the Premier League),” the 52-year-old said, as quoted by The Athletic’s Sam Lee.

City remain in the hunt for a third straight league title but remain in second place, five points behind leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand over the Etihad outfit.

Guardiola was also quizzed on how he can keep the squad’s focus on on-pitch matters amidst the distraction inevitably caused by the Premier League’s allegations.

“It happened with UEFA and that was for one or two years,” he added, as per the Manchester Evening News. “Now it has happened, everyone is going to talk about it every single day.

“We just have to focus on the pitch. There is a long process and we know what is going to happen.”

City and Pep Guardiola have a timely opportunity to send a message to the rest of the division when they welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning English champions have been under scrutiny for their inconsistent displays of late and the clash against the Midlands side presents a good chance for City to return to winning ways and keep mounting pressure on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.