Manchester [UK], June 25 (ANI): Ahead of the clash against Chelsea, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said their opponents 'have always been a real force'.

"They have always been a real force. With Antonio Conte they won the league and that was four years ago," the club's official website quoted Guardiola as saying.

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"In recent years they haven't spent too much, but if they do it's because they can afford it. If the clubs can do it they will do it. If they have done it they feel they need it. But the power was already there," he added.

Following a long coronavirus-enforced break, Manchester City resumed their 2019-2020 campaign on June 18 with a 3-0 win over Arsenal. After that, the Guardiola-led side secured a commanding 5-0 win over Burnley.

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Manchester City currently hold the second position on Premier League table with 63 points, 23 points behind the table-topper Liverpool. On the other hand, Chelsea are placed on the fourth spot with 51 points.

Manchester City will take on Chelsea on Friday at the Stamford Bridge. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)