Pep Guardiola press conferences are back! Today’s was especially busy as he touched on so many topics. We will get to them all.
Maybe the most pressing is Pep on Lionel Messi links-
“He will wear the number 10. We were convinced by Grealish and convinced Leo would stay at Barca. Right now he is not in our thoughts.”
“It was a surprise for everyone, me included,”
“All I can say is thank you so much to bring Barcelona to another level, to allow Barcelona to dominate the world for a decade with him and his mates.
“I wish him the best for the rest of his career. His contribution helped the club to reach another level.”
Pep on Harry Kane Links-
“He’s playing for Tottenham Hotspur. If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished.
“If they are open to negotiate, not just with Man City, all the top clubs will try to sign him.
“It’s different from Jack - Jack had a release clause. Harry Kane is an exceptional, extraordinary striker, no doubts.
“We are interested, but he is a Tottenham player. If they don’t want to sell they don’t, but if they want, we can try.”
Pep on Jack Grealish arrival-
“Thank you so much to the club - especially Ferran, Khaldoon and Txiki - and thank you to Aston Villa and Jack who chose to come here because I’m pretty sure he could decide whatever he wants...”
“It was a decision for Man City, alongside the manager. He’s a player for the next five or six years. It happened because we could sell. Without the £60M, we could not afford it, and we are more than delighted to continue.”
“He said he wanted to play for Man City and that’s why it is an honour to have him and hopefully he can settle as quick as possible.”
”He has the best years of his career after making an exceptional contribution at Aston Villa, where he did amazing. He can get to another level with us...”
“He arrives with incredibly positive things and ready to start to settle into the team and start to know him. He can know the club and the players, staff and the way we play and can provide for the next years...”
“He can play up front of course, mainly left side, but can play as a winger, attacking midfielder, striker - many positions with his quality. I don’t have any doubts...”
Pep on players who want out of Man City-
“Not just Bernardo, there are two or three players that want to leave Man City, but they are our players and when they bring some offer and they want to leave, we are open to discuss but it depends on them...” Pep would add a biug fee would be necessary for these players to leave.
That will do it. The season kicks off tomorrow with the Community Shield match v Leicester City.
Stay here for match coverage and more.