'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City are set to take on Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League this weekend. QPR are faced with relegation and will desperately chase a win against the former English champions as they try to consolidate their position in the top 4.
The top-4 brings with it European football which is financially a huge boost for the clubs while also allowing them to attract talent from across the globe to play in the Champions League. Manchester City, however, have an unenviable record in Europe.
They have only made it past the group stages twice in the last four European campaigns and the furthest progression they have seen is the round of 16.
Speaking ahead of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, Manuel Pellegrini told the press that City isn’t far from competing with European elite clubs.
Pellegrini said, “First we need to find our own Messi because he makes the difference. I think that the project of this club is to try to improve every year as a club in all senses and every department.
“A lot of people get nervous if you don’t do it in three, four or five years - but I think this project needs a long time. Every year, you must demonstrate that you are growing and improving.”
The Chilean believes he has the player in his squad who can be the difference for the Citizens – Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero.
“We have a very important player in Kun and we have a lot of other good players. Barcelona have not only Messi but Suarez, Neymar, Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi just to begin. For Real Madrid, I can say six good players and for Bayern, it is the same thing.
“I think it’s important for Kun to improve every year and play all the games. He’s growing every year and I hope that he’ll be as important for this team as those players are for those teams.”
Aguero currently leads the goalscorers table in the EPL with 22 goals to his name and could notch a few more before the end of the season. Whether he will the “difference” for Manchester City in the Champions League, only next season will tell.
