Pep Guardiola has no excuse not to lead Man City to Premier League title, Paul Merson says
Friday 11 August 2017 14:57, UK
Paul Merson believes Pep Guardiola will be the only person at fault if Manchester City fail to win the Premier League title this season.
Guardiola endured a difficult first season at City, going through a campaign without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career.
The Spaniard has responded by spending more than £200m on new signings, players which Merson believes leave Guardiola with no excuse but to deliver.
"I'd be shocked if City didn't win the league this year," the Sky Sports pundit told The Debate. "If Guardiola doesn't win the league it will be his fault and his fault alone.
"City have the squad, all the players, if he cannot get the team over the line serious questions will be asked."
Guardiola's summer spending spree, which has seen Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy move to Manchester, has led to suggestions the City boss could adopt a new formation.
Merson, however, believes Guardiola should copy the pragmatic stance of his old foe Jose Mourinho if he is to deliver trophies.
"At times, Guardiola, will have to be like Jose Mourinho, shut up shop, be hard to beat and take a draw and move on to next week," Merson added.
I'd be shocked if City didn't win the league this year. If Guardiola doesn't win the league it will be his fault and his fault alone.
"Last season, in City's 4-2 defeat at Leicester, everyone was wondering what he was doing, playing up on the halfway line against Jamie Vardy - Guardiola is supposed to be the best manager in the world.
"He's spent in excess of £70m on two right-backs, so he could change to play three at the back. But I think Guardiola will play exactly how he did last season."
