Man City vs Chelsea: Guardiola Speaks On Conte's Poor Defense Of Premier League Title

Ahead of their premier league clash, Pep Guardiola has professed his surprise at Chelsea's poor defence of their title but praised Blues boss Antonio Conte for changing English football.

Pep Guardiola is surprised at Chelsea's poor defence of their Premier League title, but praised Antonio Conte for changing English football.  Conte secured the title in his first season at Stamford Bridge having arrived in the Premier League at the same time Guardiola was appointed as Manchester City boss.

The tables have turned this season and, as the pair prepare to clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, City hold a 16-point lead over neighbours Manchester United at the summit with Chelsea six points further adrift down in fifth. Conte conceded after defeat to Manchester United last weekend that Champions League qualification will now be tough for the reigning champions.

While Chelsea were losing at Old Trafford, Guardiola was collecting his first silverware in England with victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final atWembley.They followed up that win with another 3-0 drubbing of the Gunners on Thursday night to take them within five wins of the title.

Guardiola admits Chelsea's attempt to defend their crown has caught him by surprise, but believes it has been the high standard set by his side that has made all other seasons appear average."If you asked me at the beginning of the season, yes,"Guardiola replied when asked if he was surprised by Chelsea's title defence."And now too, yes, of course, but we are doing well. We dropped few points. That's why. The results from United, Tottenham, Chelsea, they are good."They are results to fight for the Premier League. We have 75 points and they still want 78 or 79, so we need 81 or 82 to be champion."In March we have a lot of points and there is that gap. We did it really well. But Chelsea, United, Tottenham, Liverpool have done it well, good. We did it well.

The reason why there is a lot of points is we have done it really well."Conte has faced speculation over his immediate future at Chelsea, with the Italian batting away questions on the subject on a weekly basis, but Guardiola believes the former Juventus boss' approach will have a lasting effect on the English game."What Antonio has done here in the Premier League, maybe the people don't realise,"he added."He introduced another way to attack with five at the back, another system, a lot of teams, even Arsenal, had to do a lot of imitating to do that.

"Tactically he is a master, he did it amazingly with the national team with Italy and when he went to Turin. I think Conte is going to leave something to English football. I'm sure of that."

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Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola

Conte speaks on Olivier Giroud's fitness

√ The Italian tactician explained that the club will check his physical condition

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has stated clearly that Frenchman Olivier Giroud is unlikely to start for the Blues in their next Premier League game at Watford.

Chelsea splashed out £18m to sign Giroud from London rivals Arsenal handing him an 18-month contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues will be on their way to Vicarage Road next Monday, but Conte does not expect Giroud to be ready to start with Eden Hazard likely to fill in for crocked first-choice striker Alvaro Morata.

He said: “We are starting to work with him but we have to check his physical condition. It is difficult to see him start.

“Giroud is a player with a lot of experience. He is 31, we are not talking about a young player and for this reason our expectation is to help us and I asked the club for this type of the player and the club gave me this,''
Conte told Chelsea website.

Chelsea set to battle Man City and Arsenal for a defender -

Chelsea is set to battle Manchester City and Arsenal in the race to sign Burnley defender James Tarkowski after losing Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, according to reports in England.

Pep Guardiola has set sight on the defender as he wants to make some adjustment to the centre back position but he faces competition forthe services of the defender, according to The Times.

Antonio Conte is impressed with the performance of the former Brentford defender, Tarkowski forms a formidable partnership with Ben Meeat the centre-half position and boasting of the fourth defensive record in the Premier League.
Tarkowski is serving a three-match ban after being charged for violent conduct in the draw against Brighton.

Conte turned to the defender after his plans to sign Van Dijk was doomed by Liverpool who agreed on a £75m deal to sign the centre-half.

Chelsea is already planning a team with veteran David Luiz whose futureis in doubt at the Stamford Bridge after falling out with the Conte.