Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola answers questions from the media during a press conference ahead of the Spanish Premier League match against Atletico Madrid at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea, on July 29.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on South Korean soccer icon Son Heung-min (Tottenham).
City will play the second leg of the Coupang Series against Atletico Madrid (Spain) at 8 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
"We plan to train in good shape and work hard in the game," Guardiola said at a pre-match press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 29, a day before the match. "We are happy to play a strong team like Atletico Madrid," he added.
Guardiola is no stranger to triumphs, having won the English Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League with City last season.
However, there is one striker that Guardiola has been particularly picky about. Heung-min Son. Heung-min's quick feet have cost City a few games in the past.
Guardiola is well aware of this. "He's a great player. From Korea to Europe, he's doing well," he said, applauding him as a "fantastic player."
After one of the best performances of the past season, Guardiola has parted ways with some key players ahead of the new campaign. Ilkay Gundogan has left for Barcelona (Spain), while Riyad Mahrez (Altrincham) has also moved on.
Guardiola said: "It was good to have Guindoan with us. He has shown great skills on and off the pitch. He will not be easy to replace," he said, adding, "I chose to move him because he is a player who needs to play every day to be satisfied. I learned a lot from him."
On Mahrez's departure to Saudi Arabia, he added: "It's not easy to stop players from leaving. I went to Saudi Arabia, and a lot of players are moving there. Even Cristiano Ronaldo (Alnasr) is playing in Saudi Arabia."
Guardiola also spoke about his former pupil David Silva, who ended his career with a knee injury: "I'm sad to see him go. Silva contributed to the team's success at City with his character, technique and everything else. I wish him all the best for the future."