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Micah Richards acknowledges that Manchester City are still not fully up to date this season.
City have won four points in their first three Premier League games.
After defeating the Wolves in their first league game, Pep Guardiola’s men were humiliated 5-2 at home to Leicester City.
And on Saturday night, they drew 1-1 against newly promoted Leeds United at Elland Road.
Raheem Sterling put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, but Rodrigo leveled for Marcelo Bielsa’s men shortly before the hour.
The former City Richards defender later told Sky Sports: “I wouldn’t say it’s a concern. He (Guardiola) would have liked it to be nine points, of course he would, but all I have to say is that the Man City preseason did not have a great preseason.
“There were teams that finished a couple of weeks before them and they have been more refreshed.
“Towards the end of the game Leeds were getting more into the game and they seemed to have more energy.
“In the first five games, you are never in top form. Of course, he would have liked to have nine points, but I don’t think Manchester City are really up to speed.”
Guardiola debuted with club-record £ 65 million signing Ruben Dias, who teamed up with Aymeric Laporte in central defense.
“I thought it was good, I thought it was composed,” Richards said. “As we mentioned before the game, there is too much pressure on his shoulders, people compare him to (Vincent) Kompany.
“I thought he did really well. I think it’s difficult, when you have two full-backs who always want to get ahead, you leave your center-backs exposed. For his debut, I think he did well.”
On the game in general, Richards added: “I was critical of Manchester City last week against Leicester, but I have to praise Leeds today.
“I thought the way they approached the game was brilliant, we talked about the tactical analysis earlier and how we thought we would see more goals.
“But fair play for Leeds today, they were up front, they were hungry. In the first half the game should have been dead and buried, but it shows the character of what they have in the Leeds team and a manager who really knows. what it does.
“It was a great show.”
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