NO PROBLEM WITH MOU

Manuel Pellegrini: I've no issues with Jose Mourinho 

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini claims he will have no issue shaking Chelsea rival Jose Mourinho's hand this weekend.

Pellegrini acknowledges that the pair have had their differences but does not want that to detract from Sunday's clash between the two Premier League title heavyweights at the Etihad Stadium. 

The two managers have a rivalry dating back to when Mourinho succeeded Pellegrini as Real Madrid boss in 2010 and made unflattering comments about his predecessor. 

They did not shake hands after their first meeting in England in October 2013, when Mourinho's Chelsea snatched a late Fernando Torres winner at Stamford Bridge and the Portuguese celebrated extravagantly.

 Mourinho was involved in another handshake incident a fortnight ago when he did not acknowledge Arsene Wenger after Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. 

But Pellegrini said: "I said the first day I arrived here I have my differences with him but... I always shake hands with him."

Pellegrini feels it is important to get a good result this weekend to send out a strong message for the season ahead, even if it is too early to talk about the encounter in terms of its title significance. 

The Chilean, who has beaten Mourinho just twice in 13 attempts in England and Spain, said: "We are not thinking about the title in the second game but we are thinking about trying to win our points at home, 

especially as we are playing against the champions and one of the teams that has a lot of chances to win the title. 

"It is the same as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham - all the big teams."

Chelsea began the season as strong title favourites but City's convincing win at West Brom has provided a strong reminder of the credentials of Pellegrini's men. 

Chelsea have also had a troubled week with their frustrating draw against Swansea, which saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off, followed by a row over their medical staff's treatment of Eden Hazard during the game.

 Pellegrini did not want to be drawn into commenting on that matter and claimed it would make little difference to players' preparations for the game anyway. 

He said at a press conference: "I cannot give you an opinion about what happens at another club.

"The players will be more interested in the game. They will be trying to win. I think it will be just a game involving football things and not other things." 

Pellegrini would not comment on continuing reports claiming City have lodged a £47million bid with Wolfsburg for Kevin de Bruyne or rumours linking the club with apparent Manchester United target Pedro of Barcelona. 

He said: "I don't talk about rumours. We have a good squad at this moment but if we can improve it in a couple of positions it is better." 

Sunday's game will be the first at the Etihad Stadium since the opening of a new 6,000-seat tier on the South Stand and the addition of 1,500 extra pitchside seats, with the full capacity now 55,097. 

"We are not thinking about the title in the second game but we are thinking about trying to win our points here at home, especially playing against the champions and the best team from last season," Pellegrini told a news conference on Friday. 

"Especially also against one of the teams that has a lot of chances to win the title like Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, so to try to win the three points here at home is very important for our team."

Midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure, a dominant force in City's two Premier League title-winning sides in 2012 and 2014, failed to make the same impact at the Etihad last season.

 However, the Ivorian was back to his imperious best against West Brom, scoring City's second goal from the edge of the box, and Pellegrini believes Toure will play an integral part in the club's bid to regain the title.

"Every player has good and bad games. I hope he can continue from Monday because he played very well," the Chilean said.

 "Yaya last season, as every player, had good games and bad games. He's done very well this season. 

 

"All of us hope that he will continue because he has done very well."

Midfielders Fabian Delph and Fernando are ruled out against Chelsea with injury but striker Aguero could be in contention as the Argentine continues to regain fitness after missing most of the pre-season due to his involvement in the Copa America. 

Fellow strikers Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic have left City during the transfer window but Pellegrini said he was happy with his forward options. 

"For the moment we have here (Wilfried) Bony, (Sergio) Aguero, (Raheem) Sterling and Kelechi (Iheanacho)," he said. 

"I think the fourth striker must be a young player and in this case it is Kelechi.

"We have a good squad at this moment but if we can improve it in a couple of positions it is better."