‘I’m here to win games, lift trophies’: Josko Gvardiol eyes more glory with Manchester City

MANCHESTER: When Manchester City ended last season without a major trophy for the first time since 2017, it led to intense debate and conjecture about the club’s direction.

With Liverpool claiming the Premier League title in impressive fashion and spending big this summer, Arsenal have emerged as the side most likely to stop Arne Slot’s side from becoming the dominant force as City had been.

Yet despite a horrific run of just one win in 13 games, Pep Guardiola’s men rallied in the previous campaign to finish third in the table and claim a coveted Champions League place amid fierce competition. That provided hope at the start of a new era.

With an overhaul of the squad, icons such as Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson departed, while Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri and France attacker Rayan Cherki were among the new arrivals.

Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also joined from Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the French side win their first Champions League.

For defender Josko Gvardiol, the changes mean it may take time to shape their future, but the ambition remains the same for a club that won an unprecedented four league titles in a row and the 2023 Champions League.

“I’m here to win the games, to lift the trophies as well,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s not even a question (of whether) I want to win it. It is and it has to be like this, otherwise, if you don’t want it, then this is not the place for you.

“But I can tell you I see everyone still has the hunger and desire to win everything, too. This is what we need, and this is a bit of what we missed last season. I’m really happy to see that.”

There was concern again when City started sluggishly with two defeats in their opening three