According to reports, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a bold prediction about the upcoming Premier League season, suggesting that Manchester United and Chelsea will be among the top-four finishers.
Despite their struggles last season, which saw Manchester United slump to eighth place and Chelsea finish sixth, Guardiola believes both teams have the quality and depth to challenge for a Champions League spot.
“In the beginning of the season, the first target is going into the top four,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola also praised Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca and their “quality” squad, suggesting that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
The Manchester City manager identified six or seven teams that will compete for the top-four spots, including Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham.
While Guardiola claimed that qualifying for the Champions League is Manchester City’s first objective, it is clear that he is aiming for an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title.
