Manchester City can win their third Premier League title in four years if they triumph over Chelsea when both sides meet on Saturday.
Pep Guadiola’s men already have a date with the west Londoners in a crucial Champions League final in Istanbul on May 29. But, the Spaniard says he has ‘not one thought’ about the encounter.
City qualified for their first UCL final after they swept aside Paris-Saint-Germain in the semi-finals to put them in a pole position of having a shot at the treble this season, and give Guardiola the opportunity to win the crown for a third time as manager after he won it twice with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
However, Guardiola has insisted that the Champions League final and the important Premier League clash on Saturday are not connected.
“There is not one thought about the final of the Champions League because we don’t have the Premier League in our hands. I’m so cautious. I think if you don’t have it, you don’t talk about it,” the Catalan said.
“When we have the Premier League, hopefully tomorrow, then the focus will be on the final of the Champions League. If we play the final in one week, six days, it could be but after tomorrow we have 21-22 days, so many things can happen.
“We just focus. Of course it is the opponent we are going to face in the final but the Premier League is so important for itself, not thinking in any other competition.”
City moved to the brink of the title with victory over Crystal Palace last weekend. They could have been crowned champions on Sunday had second-placed Manchester United lost to Liverpool but that game was postponed after a protest by fans against United’s American owners.
Guardiola said: “Now it doesn’t depend on anyone else. If we win it is over. There is not one thought on what United are going to do. It is in our hands.”
While reaching the Champions League final for the first time is seemingly a huge moment in City’s history retaining the Premier League after Liverpool interrupted their title series last season is Guardiola’s prime focus.
“Always I’ve said the Premier League is the most important title,” he said. “Financially for the club, qualification for the Champions League is the most important title, maybe, but there is no doubt what is the most important thing. Of course the Champions League is so special, it’s nice, but this one means consistency and many things.”
City beat Tottenham with an Aymeric Laporte header to lift the League Cup last month but Chelsea ended their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple by winning 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Blues boss Tuchel said that game and Saturday’s meeting would have no impact on the Champions League final.
“I think the final in Istanbul will be pretty unique no matter the score tomorrow, no matter if we win, they win or if we draw,” he said
