“The Champions League is, in terms of club football, the most prestigious one. And if you, let’s say this way if you don’t win it you will never be named one of the greatest teams, no chance.”
Fair comment wouldn’t you say?
A couple of days ago our midfielder sat down for an exclusive interview with ESPN and in doing so discussed what Manchester City have to do be considered a great club, his future and how it’s virtually impossible for City to perform poorly.
“So that’s what you have to achieve. Otherwise, you will be centurions in England, and I’m sure one day another team will come, I’m not sure how long it will take, but some other team will come and also get 100 points in a Premier League season,” added the German international.
“It will not make the last season worse, it will still be special and a lot of positive and nice memories in our minds. But when you ask me how to be remembered as one of the greatest teams, I think it’s a fact to win the Champions League.”
On what the future holds after coming back from a serious cruciate knee ligament injury…
“I’m 27, so I’m not the youngest anymore, but hopefully I’ve still got plenty of time to play as I said before as long as I stay healthy.
“I feel myself fit I want to continue playing. I’m really enjoying Premier League football here; I love living here for a few more years. So I feel very privileged to be here right now.”
“But you don’t know what will happen in the future. I could have the feeling that I need a new challenge in the future one day. But also the club can come to me one day and say we want someone else instead of you.
“There are so many things going on and so many things that you can’t judge right now.
“I’m just enjoying the moment as I should do and try to do the best of every single situation.”
On how it’s virtually impossible for City to perform badly…
“I don’t want to sound arrogant or something I just want to be honest, I think in that team that we are playing right now, it’s very difficult to have a bad game, as a player.
“It’s quite difficult and tough, and with Pep pushing you, it’s difficult to have a bad game. But you can have bad passes or bad challenges but to have a bad game a lot has to happen to have these kind of games.”
Pep and the lads are currently in the far-flung part of Eastern Europe ahead of tonight’s Champions League Group F tie against Shakhtar Donetsk. However, Pep Guardiola has decided to leave Ilkay in Manchester due to a niggly hamstring and so it goes without saying, he will play no part in this evening’s 8 pm kick-off.