Whatever the competition, Guardiola wants to win: Sane

London, Nov 11: Pep Guardiola's winning mentality will make sure in-form Manchester City do not let their standards slip this season, according to Leroy Sane.

Table-topping City are setting a ferocious pace in the early stages of the Premier League title race, with their lead over nearest rivals Manchester United sitting at eight points after just 11 games.

Guardiola's side are also through to knockout stages of the Champions League and face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup in December, demonstrating their determination to succeed on all fronts after failing to win a trophy in 2017.

"He [Guardiola] wants to win every game we play, it doesn't matter what competition," Sane told Manchester City's official website.

"He wants to win trophies, so it's very good when you have a coach like him. He also has a lot of experience which he shares with us.

"Also, he wants every player to improve. Every training session he tries to help every player, make them better."

Sane - who arrived from Schalke in August 2016 - already has eight goals this season, just one less than his tally for the whole of his debut campaign in England.

However, the Germany international knows he must keep striving to improve under Guardiola, or else risk losing his place in the team.

"Every player knows that if they don't give their best, to keep their level high, there is another player who is also very good who deserved to play," he added.

"That's why it's good for every player to have this pressure, to get better and play well every game, which helps the whole team."

Still only 21, the speedy winger admits he is fortunate to be playing alongside world-class playmakers in Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva at City.

"If you play with people like Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva together you know that, when they have the ball in attack, something is going to happen," Sane said of his two team-mates.

"It doesn't matter how small space is, they will find a way to get the ball through to players. That's why you have to be focused all the time, to give them any option to pass the ball and create chances for the team."

Source: OPTA