The champions have retained their title through a manager persuading players to reach into areas of unexplored potential
In the aftermath of Manchester City’s victory, Vincent Kompany said something that sounded like a Zen riddle: “We have such an incredible desire to overachieve. Because we are such a good side, overachieving is difficult.” But isn’t overachieving the business of underdogs? Surely that’s what Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester had to do to win the Premier League three years ago, not what was required from Pep Guardiola’s side, pieced together at enormous expense and with unparalleled technical resources, in order to reach the same goal.
What the City captain was saying was that in order to do what they did this season, it was necessary for the players to exceed their known abilities and to reach into the areas of unexplored potential. To persuade internationals from Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France and elsewhere to give you that is the mark of an exceptional manager. What Guardiola has given them in return is membership of a team worthy of being judged against the very best.
Continue reading...from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2YkUryG
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