Pep Guardiola has been hailed as having a greater influence on Europe football than the late Joyan Cruyff.
22.04.2022 - 14:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Former Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany was in the news this week as he and ex-teammate Sergio Aguero were inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Kompany’s inclusion sees formal recognition of his contributions to the Manchester club after joining City in 2008. During his 11-year stay, the former defender was part of the squad that won City’s first trophy in 33 years, the 2011 FA Cup.
He also led City to their first ever Premier League title the following year after being made club captain. These achievements were followed by three further Premier League wins in 2014, 2018 and 2019, alongside four League Cups, two FA Community Shields and another FA Cup.
READ MORE: Mo Salah's message to Man City about Liverpool title race
In 2018/19, Kompany’s final season, City became the first team in England to win a domestic treble, consisting of the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup. The Belgian remains the only player in English footballing history to captain a team to this unprecedented feat.
His former club City again find themselves in a Premier League title race, battling with Liverpool this season, with only a point to separate the pair. Six games remain for both sides with still no clear indication of who will lift the trophy in May.
And speaking at the Premier League Hall of Fame, Kompany predictably backed his former side to retain their narrow edge over Jurgen Klopp's side this season.
“Obviously I’m biased, so I’m going to say City, but I think most importantly City have been in this position before plenty of times,” Kompany told reporters. “I don’t think Liverpool will drop points but I don’t think City will drop points and I think it will be another race where at the end we’re going to say both
Pep Guardiola has been hailed as having a greater influence on Europe football than the late Joyan Cruyff.
Jurgen Klopp says Erling Haaland will make Manchester City stronger in their battle with Liverpool for silverware, domestically and in Europe.
Michael Owen agrees with Jurgen Klopp that the title race is not over, but accepts Liverpool's draw against Tottenham was a bitter blow to their chances. Manchester City were offered an advantage in their pursuit for a fourth Premier League crown in five seasons without even kicking a ball on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists Manchester City will not have a Champions League hangover following their deflating defeat to Real Madrid.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan insists every game is a "final" as title race with Liverpool further intensified on Saturday following wins for each team.
Former Manchester United star and current Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has backed Liverpool to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title, but would prefer Pep Guardiola's side to win it.
Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City aces that they need to win six in a row to take a fourth Premier League title in five years - and anything less will hand it to Liverpool. The Blues reclaimed top spot by beating Brighton 3-0, just 24 hours after Liverpool's 4-0 hammering of Manchester United had seen them leapfrog into top spot.
Liverpool sensation Mo Salah has remained level-headed in his assessment of the title race despite his team's 4-0 destruction of Manchester United on Tuesday evening.
Manchester United face the ultimate test in the Premier League tonight (Tuesday). Ralf Rangnick is scheduled to visit Anfield for the first time as a manager, with his United team set to face Liverpool.
Manchester City and Liverpool are both lauded for their attacking play, with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp each having incredible attacking players at their disposal. But while the prowess of Premier League top goalscorer Mohamed Salah and prolific midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is remarkable, the title race will likely be decided by the ability to stop goals rather than score them.
Manchester City’s summer pursuit of Harry Kane is well documented, as Pep Guardiola identified the Tottenham talisman as his preferred striking target and sought to acquire his services for the best part of three months. City began the season with Gabriel Jesus as their only recognised centre-forward, and Guardiola prefers to play the Brazilian on the wing.
Manchester City will give injury doubts Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker until matchday to prove their fitness for the FA Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool. And that is good news for the Blues' season as it implies that the two respective injuries, both picked up in the goalless draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, are not serious.
The Premier League title is still up for grabs after the two main contenders squared off at the Etihad on Sunday. Liverpool twice came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Manchester City to remain a point behind the Blues at the top of the table with seven games to go.