In City boss Pep Guardiola's pre-match press conference against Celtic, he not only spoke highly of his team's central midfielder, Rodrigo Rodriguez, in the race for the Ballon d'Or, but also looked ahead to his team's vision for the new season, with high hopes for youngster James McCarty, as well as touching on potential operations in the transfer window.
Guardiola began by talking about Rodri, and he didn't hide his pride in the midfielder. He pointed out that Rodriguez not only played a key role in Manchester City's unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles, but also helped Spain win the Euro Cup this summer and won the tournament's best player, all of these achievements make Rodriguez a favorite for this year's Ballon d'Or. Guardiola said that Rodri has been at the top level for many years, and that his consistency and outstanding performances have made him genuinely happy that Rodri might win the award, and sees it as a huge testament to him, his family, friends and the whole team at Manchester City.
Guardiola then turned the conversation to the upcoming games and the new season. He expressed his anticipation and excitement for the new season and emphasized that he is fully prepared and fully committed to the team. He made a special mention of young midfielder James McCarty, praising his performance during his loan spell at Sheffield United and expecting him to improve and contribute even more in the new season. Guardiola believes that McCarty has grown in terms of fitness and game experience, and he is confident that the youngster will be able to excel in small spaces and bring more energy and creativity to the team.
Finally, Guardiola also talked about potential operations in the transfer window. He said he is satisfied with the team's existing lineup, but will also assess whether to bring in new players based on the market situation and the team's needs. He emphasized that the team's human qualities and team spirit are valuable assets that are hard to replace, which is one of the important reasons why Manchester City can continue to remain competitive. Regardless of how the transfer window changes, Guardiola will remain calm and rational and make the most favorable decisions for the team.
