Manchester City forward Erling Haaland claimed lifting the trophy at Wembley on Saturday will not make up for their disappointing campaign
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Paul Dickov insists Manchester City can still rescue their season with victory in the FA Cup
Paul Dickov insists Manchester City can still rescue their season with victory in the FA Cup
(Image: Getty Images)
Paul Dickov claims Manchester City’s season can still be considered a success if they win the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side face a battle to qualify for the Champions League after a disappointing Premier League campaign - less than 12 months after winning the title.
However, they can ensure they still end the season with some silverware if they beat Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday. Erling Haaland says lifting the trophy will not make up for their underwhelming performances.
But City legend Dickov said: “At the start of the season, if you said they were going to finish third and only lift the FA Cup, I think people within the club and the supporters would be disappointed. I think after the season they've had, you've got to say it would be a successful finish. A lot of clubs would snap their hand off to be in that position.
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“It would be a successful season for most clubs. Qualifying once again for the Champions League and winning a trophy. I just think the standards that Man City have set over the last five, six, seven years have been absolutely incredible, and it would have been virtually impossible to continue that on to this season.
“When you consider where they were, I think it was nine games that they didn't win which is almost unthinkable for a Manchester City team, and to be in a position of possibly finishing third, maybe even second and then to go on to win an FA Cup, I think you would have to say it would be a successful season.”
Kevin De Bruyne will be desperate to end his time at the Etihad with another trophy as he prepares to leave the club in the summer after a decade.
Dickov holds the Belgian in the highest regard and says he has been pivotal to City’s success.
Kevin De Bruyne will leave the Etihad this summer
Kevin De Bruyne will leave the Etihad this summer(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
“He's a leader,” said the former frontman. “He doesn't shout, but he's a leader on the pitch. And the biggest thing for me is that he’s doing it in that team with all the wonderful players.
“He makes players better just by being on the pitch with them. If you speak to all the forwards there over the years, especially [Sergio] Aguero and Erling Haaland, they will without doubt say he's the best player they have played with. I think that speaks volumes.”
Oliver Glasner’s Palace stand in City’s way of giving De Bruyne a trophy-winning farewell. The Eagles have given City a scare, taking the lead against them in both Premier League games between the sides.
Dickov added: “I think it's going to be a tough game. Palace have been outstanding. [But] Wembley's a big, big pitch that can get hold of you on the big occasions, and if you're not used to it sometimes, it can overwhelm you a little bit, so I think maybe Manchester City's experience in these big games might just edge it.”
Paul Dickov was speaking on behalf of 10bet.
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