Pep Guardiola still Man City's driving force, says Ilkay Gundogan ahead of Huddersfield clash

Sport360 staff 01:35 06/05/2018
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  • Ilkay Gundogan says boss Pep Guardiola remains Manchester City’s driving force as they bid to make it a record-breaking season.

    The Etihad outfit will lift the Premier League trophy today following their home clash with relegation-battling Huddersfield Town.

    But Gundogan says the players have been challenged to round off their championship campaign in style – rather than easing off in the remaining three games.

    Victory on Sunday would help them surpass Chelsea’s Premier League record of 95 points, and make it 31 wins, equalling the all-time top-flight mark set by Spurs in 1960-61.

    Two more goals will also beat Chelsea’s Premier League record of 103.

    And achieving more is Guardiola’s mantra, according to Germany midfielder Gundogan.

    “It’s so intense working with him, always challenging,” he said. “He always wants you to develop your game, to take your own role in the team.

    Pep Guardiola watches

    “That’s how you see it and every single player has his role and will be challenged. It doesn’t matter if you play every single game or don’t play that much.

    “Everyone has a responsibility in this team and he is able to improve you and show you the way to go. He has solutions for every single game.

    “He doesn’t stop either even though we have won the title. He wants us to break records. This season is not over, there’s plenty still to achieve. This (records) should be enough motivation for us as players, but he is showing us the way.

    “It shows how much he wants us to do better, achieve even more. He has a key role and we, as players, try to follow his way. There’s still something to achieve this season and finish as successful as we can.”

    Sunday’s visit of Town also gives Raheem Sterling the chance to claim a 50th Premier League goal.

    Guardiola believes the England frontman, 23, can get even better and urged him to shake off the frustration of several penalty decisions going against him.

    Sterling complained to referee Neil Swarbrick after being denied against West Ham last week – and had a strong appeal turned down in the Champions League tie with Liverpool.

    “People talk too much and say he is diving,” said Guardiola. “He is a guy who is quite honest. Penalty at Anfield, penalty at West Ham, the referees decided not to do that. That’s not a Raheem Sterling problem, it’s a problem for the referees. But you have to accept it and handle it.

    “I learned from the best players in the history who never complained on the pitch. They get kicked, stand up and go. So he has to learn from that.”

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