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Rio Ferdinand accuses Pep Guardiola of 'lying' before Man City's Prem clash vs Newcastle
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke to Rio Ferdinand before kick-off against Newcastle.
Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand accused Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola of "lying" to him and the TNT Sports pundits when quizzed over the Premier League champions' January transfer plans. The Spaniard spoke before his side's trip to Newcastle on Saturday evening and discussed the prospect of adding to his squad this month.
City have not made any January transfers so far in the window, even though they have not had as strong of a start to the campaign as they would have hoped. With Erling Haaland out of the squad and suffering a setback on his injury, faith has been placed in other members of the team to produce in their title battle with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Guardiola admitted that he was not completely satisfied with his squad and the campaign as a whole, with his side sitting third in the table and five points off leaders Liverpool before their away trip to Newcastle.
"Where we come from is not bad," Guardiola said. "Maybe we could be a little bit flat or relaxed whereas last season it was completely opposite. We could be better, we could be worse but I can’t complain. The Premier League in the end, you deserve the position that you deserve to be, but there is still a long way to go.
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After Guardiola's admission that he felt that the team could be in a better place, Ferdinand felt that it was pertinent to ask the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss whether he would be dipping into the transfer market to address any concerns.
"I don’t think so, no," Guardiola said as he claimed that he was happy with the options at his disposal. However, after the City boss left the conversation, Ferdinand admitted that he was not convinced and said: "He’s definitely lying. They are in the market for someone."
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"Five months is a lot of time. This is a tough place to come."
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 13, 2024
Pep Guardiola explains the reason Kevin De Bruyne starts on the bench for Man City as they get set to take on Newcastle ������
������️ @laura_woodsy @rioferdy5 @JoleonLescott pic.twitter.com/u9wpx7QbDk
Only time will tell whether Guardiola is telling the truth over City's incoming transfer plans, but one player expected to leave the Etihad is Kalvin Phillips as he goes in search for regular playing time.
Saturday's opponents Newcastle are said to be interested in the England midfielder, who Ferdinand believes needs to part ways with Guardiola in order to resurrect his career.
"I think at this stage as a player, the first thing you want to do is play games," Ferdinand added. "Yes, everybody has got to be part of the squad, but if you are going to be part of the squad you are still getting minutes here and there.
"If there are injuries you come in - players have been shoehorned into positions where he would say this is my natural position. For me, at this stage of his career, I would be amazed if he is not knocking on the manager’s door and going, I have had a great time here, you have enabled me to win trophies, but really I want to go and play some games now, please."