Pep Guardiola begs Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva to stay at the Etihad and talks about how Declan Rice turned down the chance to play under him

Pep Guardiola has urged Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva to stay at Manchester City ahead of the new season.

City travel to Wembley on Sunday to take on Arsenal in the Community Shield, a few weeks after completing just the second Treble in English football.

Guardiola, who confirmed that Josko Gvardiol was close to completing his move to the club, went out of his way to discuss the impact of two of the club’s most consistent players being linked with a departure this summer.

“Kyle and Bernardo, what can I say?” The City boss told reporters that on Friday. “They are so important to us. We want them and will do everything we can.

“We want him to stay because he wants to stay. We will do everything. Replacing those two would be so hard.’

The Premier League champions have had an unusually quiet summer so far which has been more notable for spending.

The Blues lost the experience and quality of skipper Ilkay Gundogan, who joined LaLiga champions Barcelona, ​​and Riyad Mahrez, who left for Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli.

By contrast, City’s opponents on Sunday have adapted in a bid to finally topple Guardiola’s men with Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.

The Manchester club were briefly interested in the 24-year-old midfielder, but were unwilling to challenge Arsenal for his £105 million signing.

Guardiola was magnanimous in his comments about the former West Ham captain, saying he believes Rice could be a crucial signing for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Rice chose Arsenal. All the best,” he added, “he’s an important player, a very nice guy and will be important for England. For Arsenal, what an incredible player.’

Many expect The Gunners to be City’s closest challengers this season and they will be keen to strike the first blow on Sunday.

Whatever the outcome Guardiola is aware that his team will have to endure an exhausting gauntlet to reach last season’s heights and become the first team in English football to win four consecutive league titles.

“The challenge is huge for us mentally and how we grow as a team playing football to maintain that level,” he added. “It’s almost impossible, but that’s the challenge. How hungry we still are, our desire.

“We’re going to have a lot of lows in the next 11 months, that’s how we come back.”