Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-Leicester City press conference

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media on the eve of his side’s return to Premier League action this weekend.

City will be looking to further build on a remarkable run of form that resulted in a commanding 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, in the first-leg of a Champions League quarter-final clash with the Bundesliga champions.

Goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland now give Manchester City a significant opportunity of reaching the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition once again, where they will face either Real Madrid or Chelsea.

Last time out in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side secured another crucial three points against Southampton, with a 1-4 victory moving them to within six points of leaders Arsenal at the top of the division, as the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

The weekend’s results means Manchester City are now firmly in pursuit of all three remaining trophies this season, with their Premier League destiny now in their hands, an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon, and of course a Champions League last-eight second-leg still to come.

Jude Bellingham, the performance of Ederson against Bayern Munich, and Phil Foden’s ongoing recovery were among the talking points raised during Pep Guardiola’s address to the media on Friday afternoon.

Here is every word from the boss at the City Football Academy!

---

On Phil Foden’s recovery

“(He is) At home. I don’t know (how he is). I think he will be back to the training centre. I think he feels better. I spoke to the doctors three days ago and he feels better but still he is not ready. When he starts to train, we will know it and you will know it through our social media. After that, he will be closer to coming back.”

On the Premier League title race and Manchester City’s form

“Consistency and the fact that we are winning games and we could not do it earlier in the season. Our good games were really, really good as well, but we were not consistent. Everyone knows if we lose those games, we will not win the title – that is why our intentions and details are higher. It is the same tomorrow; if we lose the game, we will not be champions.

“If we win, we could still be there because we cannot forget we are six points behind Arsenal – a team that has dropped few points throughout the season and play one game a week with a lot of time to recover, analyse. It will be difficult to win and drop points, that is why we have to be there as much as possible.

“No, in general (we haven’t done anything different). They (Arsenal) are the second most consistent team of the Premier League so it is not bad at all. Our problem is Arsenal was amazing so far. They do really well, but our performance in general is not bad at all. I would say it is not a disaster. We are still there but there is another one better than you, you have to accept it and admit it and keep going.

“Honestly I don’t know (what is going to happen in the Premier League title race). Sometimes I will experience every four days games and we are in a rhythm and this helps us. Sometimes we lose the rhythm when it is a week. Sometimes we lose this if we don’t play Saturday, Tuesday.”

On Ederson and his performance against Bayern Munich

“I have said many times; Normally a few times he has to save it and he made an incredible save (against Bayern Munich). That is the margins in this competition (Champions League). Maybe the result would be different if Ederson didn’t make that save (from Leroy Sane). It was a tight game and in the real moments, we were there. That is why we got a good result.”

On the importance of past success

“The only impact I believe is the fact that everyone knows that if we lose, it is over. It is the best way to compete. This is when you have the best. I have doubts about that experience. I need more years like (Roy) Hodgson.

“The reality is we are six points, behind no guarantee we will win the games in hand. There is no team better than Brighton in modern football. Arsenal is no guarantee. We need to win our games, that is the reality. At the end of the games, we will see the reality.”

On the return of Dean Smith to Leicester City

“It is not easy. Firstly, I am really happy he is back. I know from Jack (Grealish) how exceptional he is. I know the good vibes he creates. We have to adapt immediately after 10, 15 minutes. I have no idea what he will do. They are in a difficult situation. Definitely only focusing on this game.”

On Kevin De Bruyne’s reaction to being substituted against Bayern Munich

“If I need to speak (to him), I will speak, but I didn’t see him. Not the first time it has happened.

“I thought about the players who didn’t play, everyone wants to play. (In) These seven years, without (Kevin) De Bruyne, it would be impossible. Every game is different, but I felt it change (against Bayern Munich). Players don’t think it is personal.”

On Jude Bellingham

“How many press conferences have you come to here? You know the answer. It’s not necessary, you have to prepare better. You come here, prepare the questions, knowing me which answer I’m going to give. Next question.”