Pep Guardiola tells Man City stars: ‘Show me that you want to win it’

Pep Guardiola has issued a dramatic warning to his Manchester City players to step up their title challenge, saying: ‘Show me that you want to win it – and don’t give me any excuses.’ 

Despite winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley on Sunday, City dropped back into second place in the Premier League following Liverpool’s draw at Manchester United.

Guardiola’s side can go top again on Wednesday night when they face West Ham at the Etihad while Liverpool entertain Watford, and Guardiola wants to ‘smell’ the desire in his players.

Pep Guardiola issued a dramatic warning to his Manchester City players on Tuesday

City dropped to second in the league after Liverpool earned a point at Old Trafford

‘We have the difference of one point and 33 to play for, so it’s in their hands but our hands too,’ he said. ‘The only thing we can do is put on pressure. We can respond and win.

‘Every game is the same, when you are on top you can drop points but when behind you cannot. I don’t want to see excuses about tiredness, fixtures, or schedules. 

‘When you have the illusion to fight until the end, the energy to give you that is higher than anything.

‘We have to run and beat them, then beat then again. In the last two months the mentality makes the difference. 

Manchester City won the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday night

‘We have a good squad, a good second team, and I want to see the desire that we want to win the title.

‘I don’t care about the way we play. I want the smell that we can win. 

‘When one competition is over, I want to see on their faces they want to win the title and I hope that after I will be able to tell you I saw something special.’