90min

Pep Guardiola Adamant Manchester City Don't Need to Sign a Striker

By Will Bitibiri

Pep Guardiola has shut down claims that his team need a new striker in January to score goals
Pep Guardiola has shut down claims that his team need a new striker in January to score goals / Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions that Manchester City need to sign a new striker despite the club's woeful form in front of goal.

With only 18 goals so far, Guardiola's side have scored the least amount of goals at this stage of the season since the Spaniard took charge in June 2016, and they are currently ninth in the Premier League table after winning just five of their opening 12 games.

Man City have scored the least amount of goals this season at this stage than any other under Guardiola
Man City have scored the least amount of goals this season at this stage than any other under Guardiola / Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Sergio Aguero's injury problems have seen Gabriel Jesus called upon to lead the line for the Cityzens, but he has been unable to produce the kind of form that may see step out of the Argentine's shadow. City's problems were further highlighted by the 1-1 draw with West Brom in midweek, but Guardiola is adamant that he does not deep to dip into the transfer market to resolve the issue.

"Absolutely not." Guardiola told reporters in his latest press conference, quoted by Manchester Evening News [MEN]. "Sergio [Aguero] could not play much and Gabriel [Jesus] has incredible numbers of minutes and goals since he came here, he is one of the best in history.

"We took 13 corners last game so everyone can score goals. The way we defend depends on the strikers and the same happens up front. The strikers have more responsibility but everyone is involved to try to win games."

Under Guardiola, City have always maintained a goal tally of at least 27 goals at this stage of the season, but he didn't seem perturbed by their goalscoring return when pressed further about any concerns.

City were held to a draw by West Brom at the Ethad last time out
City were held to a draw by West Brom at the Ethad last time out / Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

"Insist and insist and insist. If 25 shots is not enough, create more. The only thing is to insist, be positive and one day it will break," he added.

"Be aggressive, put more players there and when we are able to score goals and win games the confidence will be back but the reality is comparing the 40 goals we scored in the year we won the first PL, 36 the next year and 35 the year after. This year we have 18 so in the previous seasons we were there really well and we have to score more."

Next up for City is a trip to high-flying Southampton, who are currently third in the Premier League table after enjoying a sensational start to the season under Ralph Hasenhuttl.