Pass master Pep

GUARDIOLA'S GAMEPLAN DELIVERS TITLES

- By Simon Mullock

PEP GUARDIOLA has launched a staunch defence of his footballing philosophy insisting his Manchester City record speaks for itself.

When City failed to win a trophy for the first time since 2017 last season, the Catalan admitted that his ageing squad had struggled with the demands of an increasingly physical approach being adopted by other clubs.

Having already spent £180million on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis in January, the Blues have invested another £150m this summer on Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli.

Guardiola has seen enough - despite last week’s loss to Spurs — to insist City will have a successful season.