Pep Guardiola has praised Burnley’s ‘energy’ as Manchester City prepare to face Vincent Kompany’s side in their Premier League opener.
City begin their defence of the Premier League with a trip to face newly-promoted Burnley on Friday evening, with the Clarets under the management of former Citizen’s captain Kompany.
The Belgian took over Burnley last season and led the club to an impressive promotion campaign, winning the Championship with a 101-point haul.
Kompany has transformed the side into a more attacking unit after a decade under the management of Sean Dyche and Guardiola has been impressed with the ‘incredible job’ his former player has done at Turf Moor.
“Burnley have the energy, intensity, the dream to do a good season. Vincent Kompany knows us well; he’s done an incredible job, changing the way they played for years under Sean Dyche. He destroyed the Championship,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.
“To win, win, win, win is difficult – in that division is tough. In the finest style, the proper style from Vinny. He’s done an incredible job.”
City have secured the signings of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic this summer, while the club have been credited with interest in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
Cole Palmer has been mooted as a potential makeweight in a deal for Paqueta, but Guardiola insisted a decision has not been made on the 21-year-old’s future.
Palmer came off the bench to score a stunning goal in the Community Shield on Sunday, having shone as England’s u-21 side won the European Championship this summer.
“He’s with us. What will happen, I don’t know. I understand he wants to be ‘more active’ than the previous season. But Riyad [Mahrez] is gone, there is one more place there. We will see. All the players have desires but the decision lies with the club.”
