Beijing time (CET+7) May 10th 00:30, Manchester City will face Brentford at home in the 36th round of the Premier League. On the eve of the match, Manchester City coach Guardiola attended the press conference.
Good afternoon, Pep, the next challenge is Brentford, can you tell us what you think of Brentford's performance this season? And how is Keith Andrews doing since taking over from Thomas Frank?
Excellent. Taking over from Thomas is not easy, so it's been an incredible season, what they do is very clear, and it's very difficult to challenge them. But at the same time, there are three games left in the league, and we have to go all out. I want to emphasize that tomorrow's game is a community game. How important is it for players and clubs to highlight this and give back to the local community? It's not just for tomorrow, but for everything that has been done in the past decade. They have done an incredible job, it's not just a one-day thing and then forgetting what happened in the past or the future. Everything works when you can do these things consistently.
That's why the Premier League is always so incredible, because you have to show it every week, and that's true in every aspect of our lives. So you have to keep digging and working hard every day to succeed. Everything succeeds because it won't work if you don't put in the effort behind the scenes, it will only be a flash in the pan and then disappear. When you've been involved in community affairs at this club for 10 years and done so many real things, that's proof. Of course, we will celebrate tomorrow.
Hi Pep, will Rodri be available tomorrow?
We'll see, we'll see this afternoon.
You recently said that he is returning to his best form, how much have you had to change your plans in the absence of the past few games?
We spent many, many months without him, and that did cause a little bit of a problem. He still doesn't feel completely comfortable, when he is ready, healthy and back in the team, we will observe the situation this afternoon, and hopefully he can return tomorrow.
The second half against Everton became quite chaotic, conceding three goals in the second half, do you miss his experience and influence?
It doesn't depend on him, the goals we conceded don't depend on whether Rodri is on the field or not. Those were our own mistakes, not because Rodri was not there.
Hi Pep, regarding Monday, obviously it was a difficult experience for Mark Guehi, how has he reacted since then?
He played a top game. Yes, he knew he made a mistake, but that's part of the game too. Other than that, he played a top game.
Regarding the news of the past few days, Phil Foden has signed a new contract, and he has committed to staying in the future, how good is this for the team?
I asked my sports director, and he said: "Yes, they are close. They... hopefully will reach an agreement, but it's not completely done yet."
Pep, can I ask about Jérémy Doku? He has already achieved 7 goals and 14 assists this season, which is the best data of his career, what is the key to him going further and becoming what you call a "game-winning player" this season?
When players perform well, it is always the coach's credit; when they perform poorly, it is the player's own problem (laughter from the audience). I am very happy, I am very happy that they are taking this step and realizing that wingers must score goals and make an impact. It's not just about one-on-one dribbling, I'm talking about goals, assists and contributions on the defensive end. Yes, Jérémy's performance this season has been amazing, very amazing.
Can I also ask about the women's team? This week they won the league title for the first time in ten years, what does this mean to everyone? Have you followed their season?
I would like to extend my warm congratulations on behalf of the men's first team. In today's world football, the impact of women's teams on society has become a reality. You see how much those girls enjoy playing football, you know how excellent every England team is. For example, in Barcelona where I come from, the impact of the women's team on all the girls in Catalonia is incredible, so I think this is the biggest step in world football in the past decade. Before it started, you might never have imagined the impact this would have on girls and teenagers, they would say "I want to play football". As long as you participate in sports, it's great.
Of course, I would also like to extend my warm congratulations. Chelsea has been at the top for the past five or six years, winning six league titles, and we have broken this situation. We would like to extend our warm congratulations to all of them, to the coach and to the entire women's organization, and hope that this will be the first of many future championships.
Hi Pep, as you know, I saw the first part of the training yesterday, Josko Gvardiol was training there, I mean, how close is he to returning to the squad list?
Yes, very good, he is training well. There were many months before... Last season he was a very important player for us and participated in all the games. But eventually the body will send a signal, and at some point it will say it's enough. But, yes, it's good to have him back. I hope he can help us in the final stage of this season and play a wonderful World Cup with the Croatian national team, and we can have him again next season and have his best form. Because he is an important player, he can play as a centre-back or as a full-back, and he can play different roles, he is very fast and very agile. Yes, it's good to have him back, just like Ruben Dias.
I understand that the club is discussing a new contract with him, if you managed to talk to the sports director, regarding whether Gvardiol might sign that contract...
(interrupting) I have no information, no. If you think I talked to my sports director...
So, have you spoken to the sports director?
No. I'm just talking to you about this, no.
Did you ask him last week?
I would be happy to, I would be happy to have him stay here. It's not easy to find a player like him, so hopefully he can stay.
Can I ask you one last question about the importance of playing at home? You mentioned before that you have three more games at the Etihad Stadium from now until the end of the season, and you have obviously made it clear that you must win all the games now to continue to stay in the title race, how important is the atmosphere tomorrow?
The game is at three o'clock in the afternoon, and it has been a long time since the last home game (against Arsenal). So yes, I like playing at home. What else can I say? So I hope the fans can come and put pressure on the opponent. Arsenal is winning their games, that's the only thing we have to do, or the only thing we can do.