Coach Pep Guardiola predicts Chelsea are strong candidates for the Premier League title

Ahead of the big match between Man City and Chelsea in round 12 of the Premier League, coach Pep Guardiola surprised everyone when he said that his opponent is a strong candidate for the championship this season.

HLV Pep Guardiola thừa nhận Chelsea là đối thủ có thể gây khó khăn cho Man City ở vòng 12 Premier League. (Nguồn: AP)

Coach Pep Guardiola admitted that Chelsea is an opponent that can cause difficulties for Man City in round 12 of the Premier League. (Source: AP)

"Chelsea are one of the strongest teams in England, they won the Champions League under coach Thomas Tuchel by beating us.

"They are one of the strongest teams, there is no doubt about that," coach Pep Guardiola said before the big match between Man City and Chelsea at 11:30 p.m. tonight (November 12, Vietnam time).

Chelsea have only 15 points from their opening 11 games but an impressive 4-1 win over Tottenham in the previous round helped Man City take the top spot.

In fact, Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions, a 1-0 defeat to Brentford last month.

Although it was not a perfect start, coach Pep Guardiola believes Chelsea are Man City's main competitors for the championship this season.

"They have good spirit, energy, good style of play, so it will be one of the toughest games we have had this season but we are still optimistic going into Stamford Bridge.

"We are at the top of the league at the moment and we have to try to maintain our quality in the league. But sooner or later Chelsea will compete for the title, there is no doubt about that," said coach Pep Guardiola.

The Spanish strategist added: "Once again, when talking about Chelsea, we always remind ourselves that we have to try because complacency will cost us. What you have done well in the past cannot be maintained forever if you are complacent, because the opponent will keep improving."

Tiền đạo Erling Haaland là cầu thủ khiến HLV Pochettino cảm thấy lo ngại nhất khi Chelsea đối đầu với Man City. (Nguồn: AP)

Striker Erling Haaland is the player that makes coach Pochettino feel most worried when Chelsea faces Man City. (Source: AP)

Meanwhile, coach Pochettino also praised Man City before the highlight match of round 12 of the Premier League. "Of course it will be a challenge.

We need to compete and know that this match will be very difficult, but we will try to play our best. Our goal is to win all 3 points against our opponents," said coach Pochettino.

The 51-year-old added: "Man City dominate English football because they deserve it. That's the reality, we can't say otherwise.

They are at the top and they are the team you want to beat and challenge because they are showing great quality. All the other teams are trying to compete with them but they are doing everything very well.

"Obviously our target for the future is to be at the top and try to win the Premier League. Now we need to be confident, try to challenge them and try to stay where we are. We are all fighting to try to get where Man City are."

Source