Guehi insists players have ‘trust and belief’ in Man City after charges

Marc Guehi, centre, has featured in City’s all seven opening Premier League games under Enzo Maresca. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Manchester City’s Marc Guehi said on Monday that the squad is “pretty calm” and has plenty of faith in the club, even though City has been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules.

A strong start to the season under new manager Enzo Maresca has seen City win all seven of its opening league games and sits three points clear of reigning champion Arsenal.

These results, however, have come amid a wave of guilty verdicts, prompting demands for heavy points deductions, enormous fines and even the removal of some of the club’s league titles.

Importantly, no sanctions have been confirmed so far and City, which has consistently denied any wrongdoing is appealing the rulings.

The only setback this term came in the Champions League, where City lost 4-2 to holder Paris Saint-Germain. It hopes to bounce back at home against AEK Athens on Tuesday.

England defender Guehi, speaking at a pre-match press conference, said: “The team spirit has been really good, every single person, player, staff and fans are backing us and it has been great to see.

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“We’re pretty calm. There’s a lot of relaxed faces because we have a lot of trust and belief in the football club and what’s been going on here.”

“It can be very easy to be affected by the noise that’s going on. But I’m so happy to see the team spirit, the team bonding and everyone taking to what’s happening and just focusing on the football,” he added.

Guehi, who joined City from Premier League rival Crystal Palace in a GBP 20 million (USD 26.6 million) move in January last year, was asked how he had come to trust the club.

“Ever since I’ve got to the club, the club have been fantastic with me,” the 26-year-old replied. “The support that I’ve had, tough times on the pitch and off the pitch.

“I’m aware already of the success the club has already had in the past and I want to be someone who’s part of the future success.”

Asked if Enzo Maresca’s players had been given any details about why the City hierarchy were so confident of mounting a successful appeal against the decision of an independent commission, Guehi replied: “No, nothing’s been said. The only thing that’s been said is to focus on the football, which is all we can do.”