Pep Guardiola claims Manchester City lack the capability to win either the Premier League or Champions League this season amid their recent poor form.
The reigning champions have faced a torrid run of results, managing to win just one of their last 11 games across all competitions. This alarming streak has seen City drop to fifth in the Premier League, nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, and they have also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup. Their struggles in the Champions League have left them in a precarious position, having earned just one point from their last three group-stage matches, which places them 22nd in the overall group standings.
Speaking candidly to TNT Sports, Guardiola did not hold back in dismissing Manchester City’s chances of competing for major trophies this season. He bluntly stated, “We don’t have the players” and further elaborated on his feelings about the current situation. “It’s more difficult. I don’t have the feeling now. Maybe it’s going to happen, who knows? But I have the feeling that now we have to think in the short term. We cannot put a lot of big, big targets.”
Guardiola’s remarks reflect his concern about City’s ability to replicate the consistency that has been a hallmark of their success in previous seasons. The manager highlighted the importance of maintaining a high level of consistency to achieve major accomplishments, such as winning the Premier League or advancing to the later stages of the Champions League. He admitted, however, that consistency has been lacking this season, a factor he identified as crucial for success. “When you want to achieve something important, like win the Premier League or reach the latter stages of the Champions League, you need consistency. We were incredibly consistent before, but now we are not,” he said.
Despite the grim outlook for the current season, Guardiola remains hopeful that City can still recover some ground in the league. The team has a chance to climb back into the top four when they face Aston Villa this weekend. Additionally, while their hopes of salvaging their Champions League campaign seem slim, the final two group-stage matches will provide them with one last opportunity to turn things around.
