Guardiola targets Champions League position; plots Leicester’s fall

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Guardiola targets Champions League position; plots Leicester’s fall

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Pep Guardiola said his mind is made up concerning the future of seven players in the Manchester City’s squad, whose contracts end soon, but asserts that the door is open for possible extension. The likes of Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero, Jesus Navas and Tosin Adarabioyo make the list of out-of-season players, who would wait for Guardiola’s decision on their future at the club come next season.City’s manager is however aiming to take all points in the remaining three matches of the season, one of which is Saturday’s home game against Leicester, as he hopes to earn a place in next season’s Champions League. According to reports, Guardiola has not spoken to any of the seven players about their contract extension. Categorically, he assured that their fate is secured: “It does not depend if they play the last three games.“The decision is already made. We are going to communicate after the season. I know in my mind.”Toure’s recent impressive form after he got his position back in November following disagreement with Coach Guardiola, will celebrate his 34th birthday on Saturday.Three years on, he was involved in public debate when his agent, Dmitri Seluk alleged the club is not showing him due respect on his birthday.“We’ll get him as big a cake as possible. We are going to do that. But after the game.” Guardiola assured this time.Names like Sergio Aguero and John Stones could both feature in the Leicester match, since they have resumed training following their recovery from injury.Aguero is out of the squad which won Crystal Palace 5-0 last Saturday owing to a groin injury, meanwhile centre-back Stones has also been out for more than a month because of a muscle problem.Guardiola is optimistic his team would get the seven points from the three remaining matches needed to secure a place in next season’s Champions League and make progress, although he affirmed they have performed below expectation this season.“I enjoyed it. I expected us to fight until the end in the table, especially in the Premier League, because in the Champions League we were not ready to compete with the best teams in Europe.“But I was expecting to compete until the end, the last three, four, five games, to fight for the Premier League title.“We were not able to do that because again I think in the boxes we were not good enough to be able to fight until the end.“But I’m so optimistic. Of course, over the last three games, we are able to qualify for the Champions League. I think we will be stronger next season.” He said.

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