Swansea City vs. Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reiterated he is not making big changes to the team purely to stamp his authority at the Etihad Stadium building up to Saturday's Premier League showdown at Swansea City.

Following Joe Hart's loan switch to Torino and Yaya Toure's omission from first-team plans thus far, Guardiola was again quizzed on his tactics, and the Mirror's David Anderson provided pre-match quotes from the Spaniard:

"

Believe me I don't take these decisions to show my authority. I don't like to take these decisions. 

The toughest decision I made was over Joe. I know what Joe Hart means to this club. His behaviour, from the beginning when we spoke to each other, Joe with me - it was tough.

When I take a decision it is always because I am thinking what is the best for Manchester City. I learned that in Barcelona.

I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with the club. So the club - I take the decision always for the benefit of the club. 

Knowing maybe I am going to make a mistake, but I still have to do it.

"

Toure is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the Citizens this season and last appeared for his club on August 24, when they defeated Steaua Bucharest 1-0 to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

However, Anderson also reported captain Vincent Kompany's place is also in doubt following a string of recurring injuries that have kept him from the lineup, leading Guardiola to reinforce his stance on tough decisions:

"

I did it when I was 37 years old with the first team in Barcelona. Now I am older and I have to do it. 

I don't know whether they agree or not, but what happens in my team in the squad, I am the chief.

I'm the manager and I'm going to decide. Not for me, I don't like to do that. But because of what's best for the club. Not for now, for the future generations, for the upcoming years, for the future.

"

Many might agree the manager is justified in seeking a certain level of authority at the Etihad, and one could hardly argue results haven't spoken for themselves everywhere else in his career to date.

Guardiola is also looking forward to the return of striker Sergio Aguero in Saturday's trip to the Liberty Stadium, as well as commenting on Nolito's recent red card against Bournemouth, per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson:

"

You have to be smart, intelligent, to not fall down. Be quiet and focus on what you have to do in the game, but I think for the history of Aguero and Nolito you know they are normal guys, they want to play.

He’s not that type of player but sometimes you know this kind of action happens. We can agree or not agree about the suspension but we accept – the same with Nolito, like he didn’t touch the opponent, and first he provoked Nolito – and we have to accept. We have to accept absolutely the suspension from the federation and try as quickly as possible to get Nolito back with the team and we are happy Sergio can play again with us.

"

Aguero was retroactively suspended for three matches after he was found guilty of violent conduct against West Ham United defender Winston Reid, and his comeback will undoubtedly go down well on Saturday.

There, the Premier League leaders will be looking to preserve a 100 per cent record and maintain first place, with Jermaine Jenas explaining to BBC 5 Live Sport how City have started so quickly under Guardiola:

City defeated the Swans 2-1 in midweek to advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup, and they'll be seeking a repeat result on Saturday to prolong their domination of the English top flight.

Manager Francesco Guidolin will be out to hold the Premier League's in-form outfit at bay, but with complete control over his squad, Guardiola looks to be in indomitable stride at present.