“You cannot disappoint them” – Pep Guardiola offers verdict on Manchester City’s January signings amid difficult form

Pep Guardiola has admitted his feeling of wanting to avoid disappointing Manchester City’s January signings given the external view they have of him and the wider club.

Officials at the Etihad Stadium club were kept busy throughout the January transfer window ensuring that Pep Guardiola would have his squad roster bolstered to give the club the best possible chance of avoiding major disappointment in the second-half of the season.

Having exited the Carabao Cup at the fourth round stage, the UEFA Champions League in a last-16 play-off tie, and the Premier League title race, City know that their main focus is simply qualification for next season’s premier European club competition.

Those ambitions are accompanied by the hope of major silverware too, with Manchester City facing an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Bournemouth away from home at the end of the month.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked whether Manchester City’s four January arrivals have helped to fresh the playing squad in training, as well as through their on-field energy in competitive matches.

“The new players will bring something like nine years (ago), it’s different. Of course, they want to play here, they are incredibly focused and have training,” Guardiola said.

“You realise when you arrive in one place and everything is new, you are incredibly focused and you have a dream to make a good impact not just in the team, but in English football. Of course they are there and we have seen it,” he continued.

“Both in the minutes they play, Vitor (Reis) played a tough game in (Leyton) Orient for the pitch and conditions for the opponent. Except the first minutes he behaved really well and against a striker from Plymouth was so strong, they handled it really well. But of course still there are a few things, especially the ball, that need time to improve and realise.”

As Pep Guardiola heads into a 10th season at Manchester City, the 54-year-old was also asked whether the arrival of new names helps to add motivation him on a personal note having achieved everything available to him at the Etihad Stadium.

“Yes, new players always give you a boost,” the Catalan coach admitted. “You cannot disappoint them. They have an opinion on you from external. You don’t want to be serious, you have to be professional, you have to try to help them. It’s a question of time.

“I would like to have the old players eternal, for all the time, but it’s not possible. It happens for not just the players, the managers, the staff, the backroom staff. The people change, it’s normal.”

Manchester City are expected to resume their transfer activity when the market reopens for the summer, with a number of positions expected to be under analysis by incoming sporting director Hugo Viana.

The Portuguese director will also be tasked with a review of the existing playing squad, with major departures not ruled out in the coming months including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan.