**Man City**are already chasing the top after a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week. **Pep Guardiola**has been proven right that things will not change overnight, and ahead of a trip to Brighton, he reminded everyone that he wishes to take things "one game at a time" this year.
‘A really good team’
The shot stopper saga has evolved. **James Trafford**marked his first start for the first team after a return from **Burnley**with a clean sheet, but an errant pass left **Joao Palhinha**to put **Tottenham**2-0 ahead at the Etihad Stadium on his home debut. The manager has stood behind the Englishman.
“Always they have the arms and the shoulders. always they don't believe we take care of them. What happened don't belong just for James. This is not easy to say but don't belong just to James. What happened in the second goal against Spurs and he's a strong man. He's have a huge personality.”
He hammered home that he wants to lend support to the players when bravery goes against them.
“Of course he's concerned. I would not like he's not concerned but uh but of course we are here to help them. So there's no doubt about that. Many times always are here to support in bad moments.”
That will also be the job of Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton. The youngest Premier League manager leads a group in need of refinement, and naivety has cost them in many moments. Already, they have dropped two points at the death against **Fulham**and spurned countless chances at Everton.
Yet, especially after a 2-1 loss at the Amex Stadium last year, Guardiola sees the Seagulls as a threat.
“Really good team. It's a really good team. We proved it last season and the previous ones with Roberto de Zerbi or Graham Potter since a long time is an exceptionally, really good team.”
That result was a second straight loss in the Premier League as the title defence collapsed for the Citizens, and their consistency has not fully returned since. To be with the best in Europe much further than the playoff round on this occasion, City must reconnect with the old version of themselves.
*“That is the target, but it's one game at a time. The season just start two games. Yesterday we enjoyed the draw for the Champions League. So we are going to be there in the elite of European football and uh just two games I had the feeling that we will do a good season. We are going to do a good season.”*
‘I will handle it day by day’
**Rodri**suffered a setback in the Club World Cup against **Al-Hilal**after an ACL injury almost a year ago against Arsenal. Yet, he is already back with La Roja after being selected by Luis de la Fuente.
*“No, I never spoke with the manager from Spain. Never. But I spoke with Rodri. He feels better.”*
Guardiola has been careful with his compatriot, easing him back into action at the start of the new season. But he did not indicate that he had denied the midfielder the right to play for his country.
“For me, it's fine, so Spain select him because they talk each other and it's because they believe they can go. He’s trained last two weeks three weeks I said when I was in Italy that Rodri after the international break, he will be better and almost you know ready and we will try the games against Wolves against Tottenham and against Brighton few minutes I said this two three, weeks ago.”
Elsewhere, there has been uncertainty about the size of a squad that the manager does not believe is "healthy." But **Savinho**is set to stay, and **Ederson**is on the books, raising an obvious question.
“It is what it is. You have to accept it. I don't like players at home but the reality the players knows it for a long time and if it stays this stay I more than pleased and I will handle it day by day. That’s all
Guardiola refused to answer any questions about transfers, asking for patience until deadline day.
“In this part of the season before transfer window is closed, everything is possible. So it's simple as that. After that everything will be more clear and we take the decisions. It depends on many reasons.”
Times are changing with Txiki Begiristain no longer on the board and Hugo Viana now the director of football. However, the 54-year-old does not want to create a stir with the executives in the public eye.
*“I'm not a guy I would say or manager that complain much here about the squads never happened in Barcelona or Bayern Munich. It is what it is because I know the club is doing the best as possible.*