The strong competition amongst the squad at Manchester City fuels the treble winners. Spots in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup are at a premium so whenever a player is called upon they have to be at their best to keep their spot.
Speaking after City’s dominant win over Bournemouth Guardiola went into detail about how he expects his players to perform and train. He said: “Everyone has to compete. If you don’t play, train better the next day, the moment is coming, when you do this and mentally here, you perform well and when you perform well, we are going to win games and you will be happy, everyone will be happy and this is what you have to do.”
The competition for spots has brought out the best in Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku. Both players have been in season-best form against Manchester United for Grealish and at the weekend against Bournemouth for Doku when recalled to the starting lineup. The City manager explained their competition: “I want Jack (Grealish) angry. I want him to play good. And (Jeremy) Doku to be angry like he didn’t play the last two games.”
Guardiola further explained: “This is the way to maintain the consistent level. But Jack is back, the way he played in Old Trafford to give us more composure in that position. It was decisive for us. But we need everyone. A lot of games come. Everyone has to compete.”
The healthy competition for starting positions at Manchester City fuels the squad. Each player knows they have to perform to keep the European champions at such a high level of performance. Without the competition for spots the high standards demanded from Pep Guardiola could not be met.
