Premier League: Manuel Pellegrini buoyed by new deals for Sergio Aguero, David Silva and others
Friday 15 August 2014 19:28, UK
Manuel Pellegrini is delighted that so many Manchester City players have shown their commitment to the club this summer.
Last season's champions begin their defence of their Barclays Premier League title at Newcastle on Sunday at the end of a week which has seen City stars Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva sign new deals and defender Eliaquim Mangala join from Porto for a fee in the region of £32m.
Pellegrini believes all their summer business is proof of the positive direction of the club and he is expecting more good news with striker Edin Dzeko perhaps the next player to commit his future.
The Chilean said: "I think it is very important for the club to retain the best players.
"I think it is also important for the club that they want to stay here because they are working very well and this is a club that has a lot of ambition for the future. They understand that.
"Maybe you will know in the next few days about other players who extend their contracts."
Mangala and Aguero are among the players unlikely to be risked at St James' Park but he is expected to recall a number of players who missed the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal, including Kompany, Joe Hart and possibly even Frank Lampard.
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"Mangala needs to work more with the team to be able to play," Pellegrini said. "It will not be this weekend. (Aguero) We will see on Sunday.
"I think that this team always needs Sergio Aguero. It is also important for him to make a good pre-season. He has so many months without playing normally.
"We are trying to make a mix for him, a mix of pre-season and trying to have a level to play for the team.
"I think we are ready to start. Maybe some players need some more days to be 100 per cent but the whole squad is ready to start the season.
"This year we have the advantage that I already know the players and they know me. We won the title but it is difficult for the team that wins the title to repeat it, but we will try to do it."
Watch Manchester City take open the defence of their Premier League title at Newcastle live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3:30pm on Sunday.
