Guardiola praises Tuchel’s impact at Chelsea ahead of Premier League clash

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed his Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel on the eve of their Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides will face off on Saturday, three weeks before they clash again in the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey.

“I have a lot of respect for Thomas,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“He has been in Mainz, Dortmund, PSG and now here, in every place he has been he has always done really well and the teams are always a joy to watch.

“I have not been working with him so I don’t know [what he does], but he has always done really well.
“I am not surprised and huge compliments for what they have done so far.”

Victory on Saturday will confirm City as Premier League champions, giving Guardiola his second trophy of the season after the Carabao Cup triumph.

The former Barcelona boss insists the league title is his present priority, not the quest for Manchester City’s first-ever Champions League title.

“I’ve always said the Premier League is the most important title,” he added.

“We have four games left to get one victory and tomorrow we will try to get it.

“Right now, believe me when I say, there is not one thought about the final of the Champions League because we do not have the Premier League in our hands.

“When we have the Premier League, after the focus will be the final of the Champions League and everything will be related to the final.

“I am a cautious guy. In sport you don’t talk about it until you have it. We still need points.

“I could say we are going to think about the final, but nobody plays the way Chelsea play. Every opponent is completely different.

“People can think the guys who played against Dortmund or Monchengladbach will play in the final but right now I don’t know. Everyone has to be ready.

“Chelsea play differently so I will want everyone involved in next two or three weeks to prepare for the final.”

Chelsea knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup and hope to beat Guardiola’s side again in pursuit of a Champions League spot for next season.

Tuchel, who replaced Frank Lampard in January, has taken Chelsea to two finals and inspired confidence in the club’s fans.