Guardiola declares 'season starts now' as Man City make Newcastle trip

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep GuardiolaDARREN STAPLES / AFP

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says they go to Newcastle United on Saturday at almost full strength.

City head to St James' Park on the back of consecutive victories as they sit second on the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Arsenal.

On the status of his squad, Guardiola smiled: "Everybody is fit except Kova (Mateo Koacic) and Rodri. Rodri is making good steps, it's almost three weeks since he made the last little step back.

"He knows that we have to take real time to recover fine, recover well, mentally and especially physically from the problems he had, to be consistent from now on until the end."

International success

It's been a good week for several of City's internationals, with Nico O'Reilly making a successful England debut and Erling Haaland firing Norway to World Cup qualification.

On Haaland, Guardiola said: "He’s incredible this season, he’s breaking all the records, personal and Premier League, for Norway.

"For him, his national team, many of the squad for Norway weren’t even born the last time they were in the World Cup. As a football player, world class player, he deserves to play a World Cup and live the experience. I’m so happy for him."

On O'Reilly, he also stated: "I’m happy for him, hopefully he can continue, stay humble. Sometimes that age when you reach the highest level he can be stable. I’m delighted for the academy, all the people who worked with him since a little boy, everyone involved in his development, it’s a big, big compliment."

However, there was a setback for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Italy now facing a World Cup playoff to reach next summer's tournament.

For Guardiola, Donnarumma will learn from the experience of this past fortnight.

He said: "Gigio, always I said, when you start at 17 with Milan it’s because you are something special. All the players are qualified for the World Cup and hopefully Gigio can do it.

"Experience, if you learn from what happens you have more experience, but that doesn’t mean you will always do well."

Wary of Newcastle

City go to a Newcastle which have struggled for consistency in the Premier League, though Guardiola insists nothing will be taken for granted.

He continued: "Top, top team, they're a Champions League team but we're ready."

Guardiola again was happy to admit his admiration for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.

"It’s not just this season, for many years, since Lyon we realised he was a special player. Newcastle make an incredible signing. He’s getting better and better. Always I’ve been a big fan of him."

On the title race, Guardiola said: "The truth is the team as strong as Arsenal in the last seasons, the feeling I had is they will not drop many points and if they get a lot of distance it will be difficult. We are in November, and in November in this league nothing is final.

"What happens in February or March, be careful. Now international break is done we will see each other every few days till March, now the real season starts now. We have to be there in March. Winning tomorrow would be an important step for us.

"For me the break I like it, take a break, I love my job but take time to breathe. Maybe a longer time would be good too. We adapt with a World Cup in winter time. Whatever the big brains in world football decide, we will do it."

Bernardo praise

Before signing off, Guardiola was happy to highlight the season form of Bernardo Silva - and what the club captain has meant to the club over the years.

"Top, one of the best," he said. "He gives us and gives himself something that is not in the stats but a lot of things, his mentality, absolutely one of the best players I ever trained in my career."

At the other end of the age scale, Guardiola also volunteered a word on James Trafford amid claims the goalkeeper could seek a move away in January. 

City's manager making clear his admiration for the summer arrival from Burnley.

He concluded: "We have an incredible two 'keepers with Gigio and James. I’ve been incredibly impressed how James developed since he left the academy here."