Kyle Walker has insisted that Manchester City’s season is “not finished” as they endeavour to win both the Champions League and FA Cup to complete a historic treble.
The Citizens lifted the Premier League trophy for the third season in a row and for the fifth time in the last six seasons after beating Chelsea 1-0 in front of a carnival atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in a strong position to become first English club since rivals Manchester United in 1998-99 to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season, with finals in the latter two competitions against the Red Devils and Inter Milan respectively to come next month.
The Catalan boss believes that City must win the Champions League to be “considered one of the best teams”, and Walker – who started as captain for the Citizens against Chelsea – has concurred with his manager.
“We will celebrate tonight and then move on to try and create history,” Walker told Sky Sports. “We always believed we could do this. This group of lads are professionals and winners. Rest assured we are not finished. We have the FA Cup against our bitter rivals and then the Champions League.
“The treble would be fantastic but there is a lot of football to be played. To say we are up there with one of the greatest Premier League teams of all time we have to conquer some of that. To go and achieve that we could then start talking about being one of the greatest teams in the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan is looking forward to potentially lifting two more pieces of silverware as Man City captain, telling mancity.com: “My arms are ready to lift two more titles. Two more finals to go, we’re looking forward to it.
Reflecting on the season on a personal level, the German added: “I have no secrets. Maybe my secret is to stay calm and stay patient. I focused on the important things and that is the success of the team.
“This is what we’re doing day by day. Today is special, it feels more special than previous years. Because of the atmosphere in the training ground, we’re here for each other, we fight for each other in tough periods.”
Man City’s record-breaking goal machine Erling Braut Haaland has reflected on winning his first Premier League title in his debut campaign at the club, and said: “These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life. We’ve been fighting so hard.
“[I feel] unreal. I honestly don’t know what to say. You see me smiling and everything, I’m so happy! It’s special. I am going to enjoy this day. It’s a special moment with the trophy.
“Without the club this would not be possible. It is amazing. Debut season, 36 goals so far, Premier League trophy and two finals left, not a bad start!”
Another key cog in Guardiola’s machine has been playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is one of nine players in the current Citizens squad to have won five Premier League titles.
“I’ve been here eight years. This is my home,” said De Bruyne. “I’ve done so many good things, they helped me through it. The amazing moments keep on coming. It’s a day to celebrate with fans and family. It’s amazing.
“There’s so much hard work. People expect us to win a lot. A lot of people sacrifice a lot, we’re very grateful. The team is hungry, that is it.
“As long as you’re not satisfied, you keep going. I want to win more and keep going whilst I still can. It’s two games but now we need to get ready for the FA Cup final against United. The Champions League is after that.”
Defender John Stones, another to win five English top-flight titles, added: “It’s surreal. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would get five. I can’t put it into words.
“Everyone that I’ve won has been special in a certain way. This one has been so enjoyable with how we played. The different positions and roles.
“The next goal is to finish the season well, keep everyone fit and healthy. Going into the FA Cup final, it’s such a special cup for me as an Englishman. It’ll be an amazing occasion. Then we can focus on the Champions League final.”
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish is celebrating back-to-back Premier League titles since his £100m transfer from Aston Villa two seasons ago, and the attacker has expressed his pride to have established himself as a prominent part of Guardiola’s side this term after a challenging first year at the Etihad.
“We feel unstoppable really at the moment. I feel so much more confident. fitter, and back to what I know I can do,” said Grealish. “This is why Man City brought me here. I have a lot more to offer. I’m over the moon. It doesn’t stop here, we still have massive games coming up.
“It’s different. I feel this year I played much more of a part. I feel confident, back to my normal self. This year, I feel like I played much more of a part, it’s nice man!”
Man City will face rivals Man United in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on June 3, before travelling to Istanbul to face Inter Milan in the Champions League showpiece event a week later.
