MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 12:05:11| >> :60:2095:2095:

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hoping for Leroy Sane stay

Pep Guardiola hoping for Leroy Sane stay
© Reuters
The back-to-back champions have a central defender less following the departure of Vincent Kompany.

Pep Guardiola claims it is not vital Manchester City sign a new centre-back before the start of their latest Premier League title defence.

The back-to-back champions have a central defender less following the departure of Vincent Kompany at the end of last season.

City have been linked with Leicester's Harry Maguire but, even if a new face does not arrive, Guardiola feels he is well covered in the position with Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.

Manchester City Trophy Parade
Vincent Kompany said goodbye to Manchester City at the end of last season (Nick Potts/PA)

The City boss said: "We are so happy with the squad we have. I don't know if the players here will stay or new players will come, but I am delighted with the players we have.

"Maybe (we will buy) but we have three incredible central defenders and Fernandinho can play in that position. We will see."

One player continually linked with a move away from City is winger Leroy Sane, with Bayern Munich making public their interest in the player.

Guardiola, a former Bayern manager, said: "For a long time they are talking about (it) but Leroy is our player. Hopefully he can stay here and the next season, and the next season."

Manchester City v Cardiff City – Premier League – Etihad Stadium
Guardiola hopes to keep Leroy Sane at the Etihad Stadium (Martin Rickett/PA)

Guardiola was speaking at a press conference in China where City are involved in the Premier League Asia Trophy. They face Wolves in the final in Shanghai on Saturday after beating West Ham in Nanjing on Wednesday.

It has been a difficult trip for City so far after their flight from the UK was twice delayed due to an administrative problem. Consequently they had little time to acclimatise or overcome jetlag before facing the Hammers after they arrived on Tuesday.

Guardiola was asked bluntly if he was happy to be in China. He replied equally firmly with "yes" but was cryptic when asked how seriously he was taking the tour.

"As much as possible," he said.

Guardiola did admit that the hot and humid conditions in China were making it difficult to train effectively.

He said: "We try to sleep during the night. We want to survive. We have incredible jetlag. We cannot train, we need to keep energy for the match day."

City are without a number of senior stars on the trip due to international commitments and have bolstered their squad with players from the youth ranks.

Guardiola said: "We are delighted to bring young players to play with the first team.

"When we arrive at the start of the season, Argentina and Brazil are playing competitions from last season, so (their players) can't be here. They need time to rest.

"But we need to play games after a week (of training) with humidity, jetlag, (after a) 22-hour flight.

"They (young players) give another alternative for us. It's a friendly but it's an official game against teams like West Ham and Wolves. That's why they are here."

ID:365502: cacheID:365502:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8247:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City loanee Tosin Adarabioyo in action for West Bromwich Albion in September 2018
Read Next:
Blackburn looking to loan Man City youngster?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!