Everyone knows Bravo’s deal is nearly done – Guardiola

“Hopefully, when we come back from the global break, they will be a full part of our training sessions”.

Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan both trained but are not fit enough to play, while Bacary Sagna has been ruled out through injury. Against West Ham is it not possible for him to play. “Maybe at Old Trafford [against Manchester United on September 10th]”. Joe Hart and Yaya Toure have a chance to play tomorrow. Guardiola has overseen victories in his opening three games and progress to the Champions League stage should be confirmed on Wednesday, with last week’s convincing success in Romania leaving the second leg little more than a formality.

“Tonight I played for Manchester City, I enjoyed every moment of it and I have done every time I’ve played for Manchester City”.

But that is misleading as Hart and his fellow goalkeepers were due to train on a separate pitch further away from cameras and Guardiola has insisted there was nothing untoward in their discussions.

I don’t care what people say about him after past year or the Euros – these things happen, footballers have ups and downs.

“Everybody knows nothing is done until it is done”.

‘Of course, we start 5-0 so it’s nearly impossible to be better than that. We all know there is a bit of a situation going on but I feel that outside of the circus we are handling it well, as a good team with a good management staff. That won’t happen because we have a huge squad with long contracts. We have to improve many, many things. “I am not able to speak about negotiations”. Some understand quickly, some need more time.

Guardiola also praised young striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who came off the bench and proved influential in City’s third and fourth goals against Stoke.

“Everyone is working hard for the team and the unselfish set-up from Raheem at the end to secure the win shows that”.

“We are awaiting events this week [regarding a replacement for Bravo]”, he added.

“We have a target as a team but we don’t have individual targets”. We have only had a month together. That’s why we saw Sergio was a little bit exhausted after playing four days ago and the travel (in the Champions League qualifier). He also spoke about how the victories at the start of the season have helped him implement his style of play, and also gave updates on the injured players. “I will be happy to achieve more this season as well”.

“Sergio is a great striker and I’m learning from him”.

However, his career is now in limbo after discovering that new City boss Pep Guardiola clearly doesn’t rate him. “I like to defend zonal marking, not man-to-man, just attack the ball”.