Pep Guardiola's Tokyo warning to Man City players made things crystal clear

24 July 2023 , 21:30

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Pep Guardiola's Tokyo warning to Man City players made things crystal clear

Nathan Ake has revealed how Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that there must be no more Treble hangovers.

Ake, 28, is a tee-totaler who didn’t even have a drink after the Blues completed their clean sweep by beating Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month - but most of his team-mates went on a bender.

Now the Dutchman has revealed that Guardiola’s message during his team’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea has been to emphasise the need to forget about last season’s glories.

Ake said: “The manager already picked up on how we can go again. He doesn't want anyone slipping up or being too casual. We know what we have to do, everyone wants to hunt us down, I think that's normal.

“So now it's about us. How can we do the same again? I think everyone is ready, we already saw the last few days in training, everyone still runs as hard and I think that's a positive.

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“I think the next few games will be good to get our rhythm back and then from there we start to go again - and I'm sure everyone is as hungry as before.”

Pep Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, wants more silverware next season (2023 Masashi Hara)

Nathan Ake of Manchester City in action during the preseason friendly (2023 Masashi Hara)

Ake has been in talks about a new contract - and club sources have revealed that negotiations are going well and that both parties have to have an agreement in place quickly.

Guardiola showed how vital the versatile Dutchman is for his plans when he refused to countenance a £40 million bid from Chelsea, the club that brought Ake to England as a 15-year-old.

The City boss then gave the defender a starting place in the Champions League final after he shook off a hamstring problem that had plagued him at the business end of the season.

That’s why Ake isn’t worried by the possible arrival of Josko Gvardiol, the left-footed Croatian centre-back who is valued at £87 million by RB Leipzig.

Ake, who has two years left on his current contract, said: “It’s all good. I think whoever comes in is going to be a challenge. That's what this club does, bringing new people, making sure everyone is on their toes, making sure everyone's ready and to help the team to achieve great things again.

“I’m sure if it's all true (about Gvardiol) and if it's happening, then he will be a great addition - and it means we have to fight.

“Everyone has to fight for the sport, not just me. Everyone has to do well - and that keeps the bar set high.”

Simon Mullock