Let’s start with defender Kyle Walker, who is already getting into the Blues groove just three games into his City career.
Walker said ahead of the Hammers friendly: “I want to go on and win things. That was my main reason for joining, and also working with the gaffer who can pass on his experience and the calibre of players that he’s played with will hopefully improve my game.”
Pep calls for more of the same against West Ham
ESPN’s Jonathan Smith, reporting at the pre-game press conference in Reykjavik, adds: “Walker made his debut for the club at the International Champions Cup in the United States and, after a defeat in the opener to Manchester United, he impressed in victories over Real Madrid and former club Tottenham Hotspur.
“The 27-year-old says that he is already excited by the brand of football that Guardiola is trying to play.
“‘I think it’s just he likes to play attacking football that I like to play - attractive, attacking football.’ he added.
“‘It’s also about keeping the backdoor shut and not conceding many goals. I feel like we’ve been working on that in preseason and especially in the last two games we’ve really shown the quality that we’ve got and we can go and hurt teams.’”
Elsewhere the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski believes City can make a major Premier League statement just over a week before the competition proper kicks off.
He reckons: “Friendlies count for very little when the Premier League rolls round, as every manager in it will be at pains to point out at some point next week.
“Brighton won’t care whether City win, lose, or draw in Reykjavik and nor should they.
“That doesn’t mean that Guardiola’s men can’t make a statement with their performance though.
“Another impressive showing on the back of the Madrid and Tottenham victories can confirm the team’s billing as title favourites and ensure that morale remains high heading into the opening game.”
Finally Hammers boss Slave Bilic is hoping competition for a place in his side will spur his side into action against City.
The Croation boss, whose side face United at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, told his Club’s official website: “Every result helps and of course it gives you the proof you are searching for as a manager and as a player, as individuals and as a team,” he confirmed. “For example, when we were playing well against Werder Bremen, you could see our confidence rise and so it is important.
“I’m sure we have trained really good in Germany and in Austria and we are going to be ready for the start of the season. We are aiming for the game against Man United, but first we have Man City and all the players are still fighting for the jerseys.”
We’ll have more media talk same time, same place on Saturday!
