Pep Guardiola has described four Premier League teams as ‘exceptional’ and has provided a key injury update on Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
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City have endured a tough spell and have failed to pick up a victory in their last four top-flight matches, dropping to fourth in the table.
But Guardiola has played down City’s struggles and says it is down to the quality of the sides they have faced in that period.
‘We played top, top, top teams,’ Guardiola said on Friday ahead of the trip to Luton Town.
‘Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa right now are exceptional teams.
‘It is what it is. It’s not the first time we have been in this position. In every season, we have had periods where we do not get results.
‘Do you know how much we struggled last season? We were eight or nine points behind Arsenal, with all the injuries we had.’
Meanwhile, Guardiola has provided an update on injured City star De Bruyne, who has been ruled out since their first top-flight game of the season against Burnley.
‘I think he has started to run on the pitch but hasn’t trained with us once,’ Guardiola added.
‘The FIFA Club World Cup is in two or three weeks. I don’t know. Maybe it’s a bit early but I don’t know (at this point).
‘Kevin is so important. But unfortunately, he’s had a tough injury for three or four months.
‘Don’t put pressure on him, when he’s back we’ll have open arms for him.’
De Bruyne has made a total of 358 appearances for City to date, registering 96 goals and 153 assists.
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