Pep Guardiola cheekily reveals true secret to Manchester City success (yes, it's money)
By Tom Gott
Pep Guardiola has aimed a shot at Manchester City's critics by joking that the key ingredient to his team's 19-game winning streak is the club's massive spending power.
City are on a ridiculous run of form which has seen them dismantle opponents in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League, but many have claimed that the only reason City are so good is because they have bought player after player after player.
Guardiola is no stranger to such claims, having seen his decision to spend over £400m on defenders during his time at City widely ridiculed, but he joined in on the fun himself after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
"We have a lot of money to buy a lot of incredible players," Guardiola said (via Goal) when asked for the key factor in his team's 19-game winning streak.
City might have a lot of money, but they clearly can't afford to buy Guardiola a nice jacket...
"Can you sugar coat that?" ?
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 24, 2021
Pep Guardiola's jacket choice this evening certainly raised eyebrows in the studio ??? pic.twitter.com/Tv1tX0N21B
"It is true, without good quality players, we cannot do it," the boss continuted. "The humanity of this group... the players are fantastic and have an incredible relationship. They play every game to think just win that game.
"Today, enjoy the night and then think about West Ham. When people talk about the second leg, the second leg is in three weeks so now the next target is West Ham. That is all I am concerned with."
Ruben Dias became the seventh defender Guardiola has signed for City who cost in excess of £40m, becoming the most expensive in a list which also features Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte.
While they haven't all been roaring successes, Dias, Stones and Cancelo have all been integral parts in City's recent dominance, which has them as favourites to win a domestic treble and perhaps even the elusive Champions League trophy.
If City are to make it 20 in a row, they will have to come out on top when David Moyes' high-flying West Ham United come to town on Saturday.
The Hammers have risen up to fourth in the Premier League, but they sit 14 points behind Guardiola's men, who have opened up a ten-point gap at the top of the standings.