Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-Leeds press conference

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media ahead of the weekend’s Premier League visit of Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

City have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points with a victory over Sam Allardyce’s visitors this weekend, ahead of Arsenal’s challenging visit to St James’ Park 24 hours later.

Last time out, Manchester City returned to the peak of the top-flight with a 3-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday night, despite a somewhat under par showing in the first 45 minutes of the contest.

Goals from Nathan Ake, Phil Foden, and a record-breaking strike from the ever-impressive Erling Haaland brushed aside David Moyes’ players to continue Manchester City’s winning run across all competitions.

City’s next fixture following the visit of Leeds is a Champions League semi-final first-leg against European experts Real Madrid, with Pep Guardiola and his players seeking revenge for last year’s antics against the same opposition at the same stage of the competition.

The fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, the challenge of Leeds United, and the starting places of Rodri and Ederson were among the talking points raised during Pep Guardiola’s address to the media on Friday afternoon.

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

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On Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness

“He trained good yesterday. Today, we are going to train and decide after training. Losing just one week or 10 days is not a problem, it’s the same thing that happened with Nathan (Ake). If he’s fit, he will play.”

On facing Sam Allardyce Leeds United side

“It’s the past (his record against Allardyce). Always the impact a new manager has on the players in the first one, two games. Every team is playing for important things, but Leeds (have) to stay here (in the Premier League). I don’t know the system they’re going to play, we have to adapt in the first 10, 15 minutes. It’s a massive, important game for us.”

On the Real Madrid game playing a role in pre-Leeds preparations

“No, I’m thinking (that) it’s a lot of games. Yesterday (Thursday), I saw the team really tired after the demands from Fulham and West Ham were so big. I’ll have to see how the players are, how they recover after just three days. My decision will be on how their physical and mental (conditions) are to play the game. The Premier League is so nice, we want to go four points above Arsenal and all focus is on tomorrow (against Leeds).”

On fielding a strong selection amidst a run-in

“It’s one of the first times we are there (competing in all three competitions). But the fact is we play many, many games – we are used to it. What we have done being here until the end, we have done (in) the past. It’s not a surprise, but I admire my players for doing it.”

On the challenge of Sam Allardyce

“That’s right. When you don’t have info on the opponent, we can’t focus much on them and focus on ourselves; analyse what’s in our game to help us in the next one.”

On whether Kalvin Phillips is ready to play

“I’m pretty sure, (he is) always ready. Every player is ready. Again, doctors and sports scientists do an incredible job this season to keep players fit and we arrive at the end of the season to have almost all the players ready. Everyone has to be ready. Everyone will be important whether it’s lots of minutes or a few minutes.”

On the potential for Rodri to be rested against Leeds

“We will see today. We see the training session. Talk to a few players and we will see.”

On whether Ederson is ready to return against Leeds

“He is ready to play like he was against West Ham, tomorrow we decide.”