The Sky Sports pundit believes Pep Guardiola can guide The Citizens to European glory this term.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp claims Manchester City are legitimate contenders to win the UEFA Champions Legaue this season.
Speaking to a live social media chat, the former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder says Pep Guardiola’s side have the squad and the pedigree to go on and win the competition this season.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their second goal
The Citizens finally beat FC Barcelona 3-1 at the sixth attempt on Tuesday night at The Etihad. The result effectively cements their place in the knockout stages – albeit with trips to Borussia Möchenglabach and a home tie with Celtic yet to play.
Redknapp now firmly believes Guardiola’s side have a genuine opportunity to lift the European Cup in Cardiff come May, for the first time in the club’s history.
He told Sky Bet’s Facebook Live chat, via Sky Sports: “Absolutely. They are Champions League contenders because of the players they have got and because Guardiola has got that pedigree.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they won it.”
Having made their Champions League debut during the 2011/12 campaign, Manchester City failed failed to advance past the groups stages on their first two occasions.
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring a goal which is later disallowed
Qualifying for the last 16 in the 2013/14, Manuel Pellegrini’s side were eliminated by La Blaugrana for two years running.
City reached last years semi-finals, only to be knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid.
Now after a period of adaptation to European football’s top dining table – and having finally toppled the Catalan giants – Pep Guardiola’s side are set to mount another serious challenge this season.
If they were to achieve that goal, Guardiola would become only the second manager other than Carlo Ancelotti to win the Champions League three times.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Jamie Redknapp agrees. “The quality City have in the side…and they now have a manager who has got them at it, there is a hunger and desire that they didn’t have under [Manuel] Pellegrini”, the pundit said.
“[Kevin] De Bruyne is a fantastic player and [Raheem] Sterling was excellent in the first half against Barcelona.”
Redknapp finishes, “Yes, it was a Barcelona side with injuries to key players, but the front three still played and City handled them pretty well.”
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