“Simple” – Pep Guardiola reveals his one Manchester City wish for 2026 | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed his one ‘wish’ for 2026 ahead of the club’s first game of the new calendar year.

The Blues can extend their winning streak to nine games in all competitions with three points against Sunderland on New Year’s Day after Arsenal secured a statement 4-1 win over Aston Villa earlier in the week to extend their lead at the top to five points.

City can slice that deficit back to two points with a successful away day in the north-east as they fight the Gunners tooth and nail in the title race, with the Blues eyeing a fifth Premier League title in six years.

Guardiola is close to securing the arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth following extensive club-to-club negotiations for the £65 million Ghana international this week, though Cherries boss Andoni Iraola is expecting to have the forward available against Arsenal this weekend.

Manchester City could be in for a busy, albeit not as busy as last summer, January transfer window as Oscar Bobb mulls over a loan switch to Borussia Dortmund with a prospect of moving to the Signal Iduna Park permanently for £30 million at the end of the season.

Nathan Ake has attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League and abroad as the 30-year-old defender looks to improve his chances of a call-up to the Netherlands squad for the FIFA World Cup after several warnings from Dutch manager Ronald Koeman over his lack of game time at the Etihad Stadium.

Stefan Ortega Moreno was told he was surplus to requirements after City brought back academy graduate James Trafford back to the club from Burnley last summer, with the 33-year-old also expected to keep a close eye on possible destinations.

City have also received fresh interest from Tottenham in Savinho, who was open to moving to north London last summer but stayed put and signed a new, long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium in October. Omar Marmoush has also been linked with an exit but Manchester City want to retain the Egypt international, who is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Manchester City’s New Year’s Day clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Guardiola was asked by one journalist what is one ‘wish’ for 2026 would be at the Etihad Stadium.

“Win tomorrow (against Sunderland) – simple. My expectations are so low,” Guardiola said without hesitation on Wednesday afternoon.

Reflecting on the current City side in comparison to this stage last season, the Catalan coach added: “In terms of the squad, we are not in our best (availability) right now in this tight, tight schedule. But it’s obvious, in terms of points we’re better than last season.”

City remain without John Stones and Bobb for the trip to Sunderland but Guardiola is optimistic over Ballon d’Or winner Rodri making his long-awaited return to the pitch at the Stadium of Light, with Jeremy Doku also in contention to make the bench.