With question marks being raised over Manchester City’s title credentials following the announcement of Manuel Pellegrini’s departure, the manager has reiterated his determination to stay focussed on the next game against league leaders Leicester City and ensuring a good season at the Etihad.
Kun Aguero’s 16th minute strike was enough to see Manchester City through against struggling Sunderland, who made it really hard for City in their first game since the announcement of Pep Guardiola taking over from Pellegrini for the 2016/17 Premier League season.
If not for Joe Hart’s saves, the result would have been different, and more questions would have been raised over City player’s state of mind.
Pellegrini focussed on Leicester despite eventful week
A large section of the media and fans were speculating the impact of the announcement of Pellegrini’s departure on City’s title challenge.
He was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “No, no, no, no. I am not thinking about that, I am just trying to have a good season.
“That was why it was so important before we play against Leicester next week at home to win these points away and be involved in all the competitions.
“I am just thinking about that and not the future. About the future, I really don’t want to talk now. I’m just thinking about the present.
“Now we must focus our minds to beat Leicester, who are the leaders of the table, so we are just thinking about that and not about the future. We don’t know what will happen to any one of us.”
Pellegrini knows his job is to keep his players focused
Realising his main priority now is to ensure his players focus on the job at hand, the departing City manager was smart enough to reiterate that his players will have to focus on delivering a good season and concentrate on the next game against Leicester City for now.
With Arsenal FC slipping up against Southampton and Leicester City travelling to the Etihad at the weekend, it will be a resounding reply by the Cityzens to doubters if they end the week as league leaders.
