Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that he is happy with the options he has up front despite having only one senior forward in Sergio Aguero available for Saturday’s home clash with Watford.
City have made a fantastic start to the new season, scoring 8 goals and conceding none on their way to three wins in as many games in the Premier League.
This despite the club not having a fully fit Aguero, who returned late to the squad due to Copa America duty.
Pellegrini happy with forward options
There were concerns about City’s forward depth with Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony out injured and the club having sold Jovetic and Dzeko in the summer. The situation has led the Chilean manager to draft in youngster Kelechi Iheanacho and Patrick Roberts in the 18-man squad that will face Watford.
Dismissing fears that his options up front might not be enough and that subsequently he will have to sign a new player, Pellegrini was quoted as saying by ESPN FC ahead of the Watford game: “No because we have Kelechi also, a very good striker. He’s a young player who needs an opportunity to demonstrate how he can play. I have a lot of trust in his performance. I don’t think we need anybody else in that position.”
Pellegrini accepts that FFP sanctions are not an excuse for poor form last season
City endured a disappointing 2014-15 season, with Chelsea FC running away with the league title. The Manchester outfit were were deemed guilty and thus sanctioned following their breach of Financial Fair Play regulations last season. With the sanctions now lifted, City have spent freely again, and are close to landing Wolfsburg ace Kevin de Bruyne.
Dismissing suggestions that he can blame FFP for his side’s poor showing last season, Pellegrini did suggest one needs a good squad to win the title.
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He said: “Last season we had some restrictions but I didn’t give any excuse not to win the title.
“This team must try to win titles every year. It’s not so easy because you have strong teams here in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
“But we must try to do it. The best way to at least try is to have a good squad. That’s what we are trying to do now and we finish on Tuesday when the transfer window is closed.”