Josko Gvardiol has called on his Manchester City teammates to step up while the club finalises transfer business, saying the squad needs everyone at their best after several key departures.
Gvardiol's injury-time winner helped City secure a big win on the opening weekend of the Premier League, but they were frustrated for large spells against Bournemouth. Manager Enzo Maresca spoke of the difficulties of easing players back in after their long summer with the World Cup, explaining he could not start Rayan Cherki against the Cherries because that would mean half the team were far from their physical peak.
The Frenchman shrugged off that disappointment to bag two assists in the final minutes, but City understandably feel like a work in progress.
Transfer exits and arrivals
That feeling has been heightened in the last week with the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, as well as a deal being agreed for Savinho to join Spurs. Omar Marmoush is also close to following him. City agreed a deal to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on Sunday, but there is much work still to be done in the final days of the transfer window.
As City fans wait for reinforcements, Gvardiol made clear that the players cannot waste any time waiting for others to come in and help because every member of the squad needs to be as sharp as they can as soon as they can.
Gvardiol's message to the squad
"I think we are still not at our best so we need some time, we need to work on our fitness as well, to get into the rhythm, and we still need to use these long weeks to get better, to get in shape, because once we start playing every three days, you know how difficult it is," said Gvardiol.
"The sooner the better [to get back to our best]. It’s difficult to tell. What I think is we need everyone. Everyone needs to be at his best, at their best - especially now some players have gone. It's not going to be easy, but our mentality - we're going to push, we're going to fight for it, and everyone needs to be ready. Everyone needs to sometimes step up and take the responsibility and fight for this badge, fight for this club."
The Champions League and the Carabao Cup both start up in a few weeks, and City need to show they can keep the pace at the top of the Premier League in the early weeks.
