Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: Clubs have to pay a premium for goals

Manchester City's freescoring form this season has not changed manager Pep Guardiola's belief that goals cost money.

City have been outstanding in front of goal this term despite not buying a frontline striker in the summer transfer window.

The club were linked with Kylian Mbappe before he joined Paris St Germain from Monaco and did make a late move for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez but no deals materialised.

It has not seemed to matter with 30 goals scored in 10 games. Forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have not only delivered in front of goal, but been well backed up by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.

Guardiola puts that down to the liberating effect of new full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy on the team, but he feels there is no substitute for out-and-out quality up front.

He said: "Always I believe that creating chances, creating play, creating good actions is the best way to score goals. Always I believe the way we play is so important.

"But the quality to put the ball in the net you have to buy it. That you cannot teach. I cannot teach Sergio and Gabriel and these guys to score goals, it's talent.

"To take the ball, control it and put it there is a talent and you have to buy it. When you have guys in your squad who can score 20 or 25 goals it's a good advantage."

David Silva has been one of City's most influential players this season with eight assists. The Spaniard is yet to get on the scoresheet, however, and Guardiola feels because of that he is probably not getting due credit.

He said: "David's reputation - (it is known) throughout the world how good he is. He's a special player, who I like a lot.

"He is intelligent, he is a fighter, a competitor, a winner. He's a guy who has got the quality to keep the ball and play. You have to be so happy because we have him.

"If David had scored in the last games three or four goals he would be highlighted. He would be there, definitely."

Silva, 31, joined City in 2010 and is currently in discussions with the club over an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Guardiola said: "We would like him to stay until he decides to go."