Guardiola Praises Iheanacho, Hints At Eagles Star’s City Exit

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho while also hinting that the youngster could leave the club

"Kelechi is a young player – a killer in the box," Guardiola said on Friday in his press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Leicester City.
"He is strong and fast. At the end of the season we will talk about individual players ( if they're leaving or staying).”

Guardiola also discussed the contracts of seven of his players including that of Nigerian-born Tosin Adarabioyo.

“No, it doesn't depend on if they are going to play the last few games of the season,” said Guardiola. “The decision is already made and we are going to communicate that after the season.”

City could welcome back striker Sergio Aguero and defender John Stones, both of whom began training with the squad after returning from injury.

Stones has missed the last five games with a muscle injury while Aguero limped off against Middlesbrough a fortnight ago.

Guardiola further confirmed the only absentees are Claudio Bravo and Ilkay Gundogan for the Foxes clash.

Guardiiola insisted that despite not winning a title in his first season, he has enjoyed his first season with the Blues, even if things haven’t panned out exactly as he would have liked.

The Blues can still clinch third spot in the Premier League this season and the boss believes he now has a better understanding of the Premier League as he approaches the end of his first year in charge.

“It’s been intense, fun and I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “I expected a fight until the end in the Premier League, fighting for the league until the last four or five games. In the box, we have been penalised by not scoring enough goals.

“There is still so much to play for. We are aiming for third, but if we finish fourth and we go into the qualifiers of the Champions League, like this season, it won’t change things or our pre-season plans,

“We will still go the US to play tough friendly games. We are going to prepare to be ready for the first game, whether that’s the Premier League or the Champions League – we will be ready whoever we start against.

“But I am so optimistic that we can qualify for the Champions League. I think we will be better next season.”
Pep also revealed the team will celebrate Yaya Toure’s 34th birthday after the game against Leicester.

“We’re going to buy him as big a cake as possible!” he said. “We’ll do that after the game on Saturday.”