After missing three games due to an injury, Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho returned to the starting team on Monday night, when Pep Guardiola’s side beat Stoke City 2-0 at the Bet365 Stadium.
After the game, the 32-year-old was interviewed by ESPN Brasil to talk about the victory, and commented on how close they are to winning the Premier League title.
“With every victory that we have now, we get closer to the title,” Fernandinho told ESPN Brasil. “We managed to take an important step today, a difficult, complicated opponent, fighting to stay in the Premier League. And it was certainly a big step for us. And in the next three, four games, we have the chance to lift the trophy.”
With the chance to be crowned champions with a win over Manchester United, Fernandinho was also asked about that feeling, but claims to be more focused on beating Everton at the Goodison Park first.
“I think we have to think about each game. We have a very important, very difficult game against Everton away from home. In the last years when we went there we had very difficult matches, very hard, last year we had a very tough defeat there. So we have to think about that game first. And after that game we’ll think of the derby to see what happens.”
On the trip do Abu Dhabi after spending a few months in the Manchester winter, Fernandinho now hopes to enjoy the Middle East weather, and will later meet up with the national team squad.
“I’m going to get a little colour, which I’m needing (laughs). But joking aside, we’re going to take this time now, there’s no fixture next week. Enjoy the heat, the sun, there. Then on Monday I will join the national team and aim at the last friendly matches, aiming at the world cup.”
The midfielder was called up for Brazil’s squad which will face Russia and Germany in two friendlies. These are the last games before the World Cup, and despite having his spot under Tite almost guaranteed, the Manchester City player still hopes he can get a place in the starting team.
