Ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final Pep Guardiola spoke to the media to give an update on Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, the cup final, and more.
Pep was first asked about what it means to be in a cup final.
"We deserve to be here, we've had a tough competition, especially the semis. The final, every team wants to win. We travel to London on Saturday to do a good game and try to win."
Guardiola was then asked why the overwhelming reaction to the Super League plans hasn't been the same towards racism in football.
"I'm sure we could do more, racism and other issues in society could be improved like human rights. People in many cases show the values, sometimes we react for the human rights, better societies, sometimes we are not so committed like we are sometimes in football."
"I'm sure we could do more, racism and other issues in society could be improved like human rights."
Guardiola was then questioned on competition and whether that outweighs the money.
"Everyone in his job is important, it's a business we cannot deny it. All the teams, clubs, fans want the best players as possible and for that you need the good investments. Everyone needs to do it. The chapter is over, we just focus, every club makes an honest statement. Now we move on, learn from it, you have to change something in the future. The CL started as just champions then for top four. It changed. Everyone has the quality for the competitions they deserve to play. After that the people incharge with wise, smart games decide what's best for football."
Pep was then asked about the CL reforms that Gundogan spoke about on social media.
"Every time is the same, all the world football is asking the better quality and the football world wants quantity. We are not in charge. We have to ask UEFA, FIFA to extend the year. Maybe we can find 400 days a year. I don't know, honestly."
Pep was asked if the ESL plans have affected preparations ahead of the final and whether Mourinho's sacking affected the team.
"The Villa game showed we were ready and we'll be ready on Sunday The new manager Ryan, we looked against Southampton, the way they play. When it happens we focus on what we have to do."
And on Kevin De Bruyne and Aguero, Pep said that both are ready.
"Both [ready], they trained today."
And more on Sergio.
"Today was the first training session in two weeks. Tomorrow we have the last training session and we decide."
Pep then spoke about this being City's fourth Carabao Cup in a row.
"Definitely, it's a final. The Champions League is close, the PL is not over. The two other competitions we have an eye on, Tottenham it will be first title in years and their commitment will be extraordinary as will their quality. Of course it's a final. Once we are there, every player wants to win and we're not an exception."
Pep was asked if he would make any changes to the UCL format and whether it needs changing.
"I'm not an expert in the format. The people who produce the calendar to recover the players, they do the opposite because it's their business. I'm not the guy to tell them. Premier League, UEFA, FIFA, we give our opinion, after that we can't do anything. If they decide ten more games then ten more games. The show must go on. My business is to prepare the players. If the world cup play 56 teams they play 56 teams."
"The people who produce the calendar to recover the players, they do the opposite because it's their business. I'm not the guy to tell them."
Guardiola was then asked why he takes the Carabao Cup so seriously.
"When we start we say many times, every game must be taken seriously. The PL is the most important, after the CL or Europa, then FA Cup then Carabao. At the start of the season it's perfect to rotate and is over quickly, this season you play in the middle of the season. I would say the PL is the first title of the season, then the CL to qualify is the second title. The third is Europe, then FA Cup, then after Carabao. Normally it's over for a long time, now we play at an important time of the season, it's a mix of contradiction that it's a final but one eye is on the CL and Crystal Palace. Carabao is nice, we play to win the title, but PSG is there, one eye on that. We see what happens on Sunday."
Pep was then asked about the consequences of more games.
"Of course there will be more injuries. These guys finish an incredibly tough season, six days break then go to the national teams. The national managers want them to train when they're finished a week off then come back for pre-season tours to Europe or Asia or America. Then the Community Shield if we qualify. The players love to play but sometimes will get injured. UEFA knows it but doesn't care. We are going to play, we are lucky we're in the Champions League next season. It's a lot, honestly, we didn't have a midweek off. I cannot train them, just to handle the team as sharp as possible. I cannot train anything, just videos, remember what you have to do. You have no pre-season to learn principles. As a manager yes international break but not the players. Every time we speak about it to UEFA, they say we take note but after more games. Then a new competition [Conference League?]. It's like an actor or actress in a theatre going three times a day, they like to make a good performance but three times a day is too much."
Phil Foden was the MOTM in last season's Carabao Cup final. Pep was asked about his improvement since.
"He played more minutes and when you do that you get better. He was a boy when I arrived, he's playing minutes, getting stronger, it's normal, still an age to get stronger. He has the ability to play different positions. He's a better player but like every player can be better."
"He's a better player but like every player can be better."
Pep was then asked about the club's pre-season plays this summer.
"Honestly with one year being at here [training], home, here, home if we can fly to be somewhere for a training session it would be nice. We follow what the club decides which will be strict, perfect for me. When the clubs decide we go here or there for sponsors we understand. I'm complaining about the time to train and come back fresh, where it doesn't matter. We go where the club decides."
All quotes as quoted by Manchester Evening News.