By Daily Sports on September 17, 2016

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that no-one is safe from the axe if they let their high standards slip.

City are aiming to make it eight wins out of eight when they take on Bournemouth at the Etihad on Saturday, but will be without banned striker Sergio Aguero and injured midfielder David Silva.

It could give another opportunity to teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored twice in his last two games, and young winger Leroy Sane, who is still waiting to make his first start for the club following his £37 million move from Schalke in the summer.

Guardiola wants his players to maintain their intensity by knowing that if they don’t perform, someone is ready to come in and take their place. And the Spaniard believes that Aguero, who has nine goals in five appearances this season, is already thriving because of the competition for places.

“There is no doubt about Sergio’s quality, but I think he also needs someone beside him to push him, so that he knows he always has to play well. If not, maybe there’s another one playing in your position,” Guardiola told a news conference.

“Everybody needs that. Everyone in the world — journalists and managers. We have to win. If we don’t win, someone else sits in this chair.

“All the players have to feel in every game that they have to play well. If not, maybe you are not going to play in the next one.”

It’s not just in attack where Guardiola wants competition, he is keen to get Vincent Kompany back to 100 percent so he can challenge for a starting place.

The captain will not be risked for the game against Bournemouth as he continues his recovery from the thigh injury he picked up in May. And Guardiola warned the Belgium international that he is not guaranteed to come straight back into the side because of the fine form of Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.

“They have to compete with each other, we’ll see on the pitch what is the best for that game,” the City boss added.

“The best way to arrive in April or May with a chance to fight to win the titles. We need the players competing with each other.

“They have to know if they don’t play good that there’s another one beside me and the next time he is going to play.

“That’s the only way to arrive at the end of the season, fighting. I need Vincent because I know his quality. I need him to put pressure on John Stones, Nico Otamendi, Kolarov — all of them.”

He was one of the well-known pPep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that no-one is safe from the axe if they let their high standards slip. (NAN)

•Photo shows Sergio Aguero

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 17, 2016

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