“They are the one team we are terrified of” — Guardiola

As Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a commanding 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Pep Guardiola dropped a bombshell about the one team he fears the most this season—and it’s not one of the usual suspects.

In a candid interview with Men in Blazers, Guardiola revealed that the team he believes could cause City the most trouble isn’t Arsenal, Liverpool, or Manchester United—it’s Newcastle United. Surprisingly, the Magpies, who stumbled to a seventh-place finish last season and missed out on European competition, are the side that has Guardiola worried.

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“Newcastle will be back because it’s one game a week,” Guardiola stated. “They don’t have European competition, and the energy they play with, the physicality, with just one game a week. When we play against them, we will be trembling.”

With no European distractions, Newcastle could become the dark horse of the Premier League, challenging the usual powerhouses. Despite being reduced to 10 men, they secured a gritty 1-0 win over newly-promoted Southampton in their season opener, signaling their intent.

But Guardiola didn’t stop there. He also highlighted several other teams that could pose a significant threat to City’s quest for a fifth consecutive title. He praised Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, noting that the competition at the top would be fiercer than ever.

While Newcastle may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of title challengers, Guardiola’s warning is a reminder that the Premier League is as unpredictable as it is unforgiving. Keep an eye on the Magpies—they might just shake up the title race.