Micah Richards reckons Manchester Metropolis usually are not but absolutely on top of things this season.
Metropolis have taken 4 factors from their opening three Premier League fixtures.
Having crushed Wolves of their league opener, Pep Guardiola’s males have been then humbled 5-2 at residence by Leicester Metropolis.
And on Saturday night, they have been held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Leeds United at Elland Street.
Raheem Sterling put the guests forward within the 17th minute however Rodrigo levelled for Marcelo Bielsa’s aspect simply earlier than the hour mark.
Afterwards, former Metropolis defender Richards informed Sky Sports activities: “I wouldn’t say it’s a priority. He (Guardiola) would’ve appreciated it to be 9 factors, after all he would, however the one factor I’ve to say is that Man Metropolis’s pre-season, they didn’t have an ideal pre-season.
“There have been groups that completed a few weeks earlier than them and have appeared extra refreshed.
“In the direction of the top of the sport, Leeds have been coming into the sport extra and appeared like they’d extra power.
“The primary 5 video games, you by no means get to full health anyway. In fact, he would have appreciated to have 9 factors, however I don’t assume Man Metropolis are actually on top of things but.”
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Guardiola handed a debut to £65million membership file signing Ruben Dias, who partnered Aymeric Laporte in central defence.
“I assumed he was good, I assumed he was composed,” mentioned Richards. “Like we talked about earlier than the sport, there’s an excessive amount of strain on his shoulders, folks evaluating him to (Vincent) Kompany.
“I assumed he did very well. I believe it’s troublesome, whenever you’ve received two full-backs who all the time wish to get ahead, you do go away your centre-backs uncovered. For his debut, I believe he did nicely.”
On the sport generally, Richards added: “I used to be crucial of Man Metropolis final week towards Leicester, however I’ve received to provide Leeds reward right now.
“I assumed the best way they approached the sport was sensible, we talked in regards to the tactical evaluation earlier than and the way we thought we’d see extra objectives.
“However truthful play to Leeds right now, they have been on the entrance foot, they have been hungry. Within the first-half, the sport ought to have been useless and buried, but it surely reveals the character of what they’ve received within the Leeds squad and a supervisor who actually is aware of what he’s doing.
“It was an ideal spectacle.”
