Considering the season started a week ago for Manchester City it might be somewhat of a concern to hear manager Manuel Pellegrini say over 10 players are still shaking off their pre-season legs… 13 or 14 to be precise.
City play title rivals Liverpool in Manchester on Monday evening in an early-season clash of the titans given how close Brendan Rodgers’ men pushed the Premier League champions last season.
“We are just starting the season and maybe we don’t have our squad in full fitness, but this week we have worked very hard and so I hope we can have a very good game,” said Pellegrini.
The other side of the coin for City fans is that, with all those players to come back to full fitness, they will be a formidable outfit when 100% not to mention an incredible strength in depth.
Rather than look to far ahead however, Pellegrini is telling his players to peak now.
A loss to Liverpool, though early season, would spell disaster says the experienced Chilean manager.
“I always say to the players these games are games of six points, especially when you play at home against one of the most important squads in the Premier League in Liverpool,” he said.
Liverpool finished two points behind City in the race for top flight honours, which Pellegrini think is irrelevant as any top manager will always seek to move rather than wonder what might have been.
“I cannot know whether Liverpool will be affected by last season or not. My way of thinking is that last season is finished and we are not thinking about it anymore.
“These are different games and different moments but it is important for our team to start winning points at home.”
Main image courtesy of Alex Morton/Action Images, with thanks.
