Past reputations count for nothing at Manchester City – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City v Burnley – Premier League – Etihad Stadium
(Image credit: Michael Regan)

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players their past reputations count for nothing as he looks to kickstart their Premier League campaign.

The City boss insists current form is all that matters as he selects his side and he is not intending to rotate his squad.

City, one of the pre-season title favourites, made a sluggish start to the season but roared back to life as they thrashed Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City hit form as they thrashed Burnley 5-0 on Saturday

City hit form as they thrashed Burnley 5-0 on Saturday (Laurence Griffiths/PA)

Now Guardiola wants to maintain the momentum.

He said: “So I see the performance, the levels. The guys who help the team, who help me, will have more chance to play.

“The others, they have to wait the opportunity. They have to fight and wait for the moment and when they have the moment, do it as well as possible.

“This business works in this way, not in another way. What happened one week ago is already over. It is past.

“Right now I see the players who are in the better conditions or more focused. If the players believe they are rested because I am rotating they are making a mistake. I put, every game, the best players to make rhythms, to help the team.

“The players who believe, because in the past they have been here, they deserve the next position, they have made a big mistake.

“The youngest player, Phil Foden, deserves the same opportunities as Fernandinho, our most experienced player. It does not matter if you have won more titles in the past or scored more goals.

“You have to show it on the pitch in the recent past, the present and especially the future.”

John Stones retained his place against Burnley

John Stones retained his place against Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)

One player who might have seized his chance is defender John Stones, who appeared to have fallen down the pecking order after the summer signings of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake.

Yet after a strong showing in the midweek Champions League win over Olympiacos, he retained his place against Burnley.

Guardiola said: “He was so concentrated and didn’t make mistakes. What we are looking for in the back four is to avoid mistakes and the people up front score goals.”

Guardiola concedes there is something special missing this season without fans.

He said: “Football was a joy when you play every three days like a routine, and the players come here and you have the spectators.

Guardiola feels some of the joy has been lacking this season

Guardiola feels some of the joy has been lacking this season (Rui Vieira/PA)

“They want to play, they love to play but before football was a special day. Now it is not special days any more.

“Of course they enjoy playing football but the joy for all the situation, because our lives, like all the families around the world – the people don’t go to restaurants, you can’t go out, you are scared about being contaminated in this pandemic situation – is different and football is no exception.”

Guardiola, speaking after City’s victory over Burnley, said he had “no news” on reports linking one of his assistants, Rodolfo Borrell, with the managerial vacancy at DC United.

He did, however, add his fellow Spaniard would be an “incredible manager”.

Latest in
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch NWSL: Live streams, TV information for National Women's Soccer League 2025
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Latest in News
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Jude Bellingham signed terms with adidas in 2024
RANKED! The top 10 Adidas football athletes of 2025