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Guardiola I believe 2025 will be one of his best years at Manchester City.
City failed to win a trophy last season after a lackluster campaign, a rarity under Guardiola, but they are in a strong position approaching the midpoint of the season.
Given the injury problems the club has experienced over the past 12 months – particularly with key midfielders Rodri – Guardiola thought it was an outstanding performance.
“We have to overcome the problems we have,” said Guardiola, whose side finished third in the league. Premier League Defeated to reach the FA Cup final last season.
“This has been one of the best seasons we’ve had as a team, with all the guys that have been there throughout the season.
“That’s how you overcome problems. Looking at it now, every time I reflect on what we did last season, I’m more proud than ever of what we did as a club.
“Certainly when we have the whole lineup we compete like we have this season.”
Last January, City strengthened mid-season with the signings of Omar Marmouche, Abdukodir Kusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez.
That could help change the momentum and while Guardiola insists he never planned to take advantage of the January transfer window, he admits it could work.
He said: “I’ve said it before, when we started last season I never thought we’d be in the transfer window in the winter.
“In the end, we bought three or four players because we didn’t have (enough) players.
“Without these players we wouldn’t be in fourth place Champions League today. I don’t think (we) will even be in the (European) conference (league).
“The moment new players came in, three-quarters of the way through the season, other players came back. In the last 10, 15 games of last season, we were the best team in the Premier League.”
Despite this, Guardiola has yet to react to reports that the club are ready to move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenho when the transfer window opens.
Speaking about his team’s New Year’s Day opponent, he told a news conference on Wednesday: “Right now, with such a crazy schedule that we have, it’s just SunderlandSunderland, Sunderland. “
City are second only to Arsenal in accumulated points during 2025 (80 to 83), despite having played two fewer games (37 to 39).
They go to the Stadium of Light five points behind the Gunners in the current table but with a game in hand.
Rodri made only his second appearance since 5 October. The influential midfielder was an unused substitute at Nottingham Forest last weekend after overcoming a recent injury setback.
Rodri missed most of last season with a serious knee injury and has made just eight appearances this season due to other issues, the latest of which is a hamstring issue.
Guardiola said: “Obviously we are a stronger team with Rodri. There is no doubt about it. We miss him very much.
“We selfishly want him to join the team (back), but what I really want is for him to be happy.”