Manchester City star playmaker Ilkay Gundogan believes winning the Premier League title early on in the season will not necessarily be a good thing.
The Citizens can lift the league title in early April if they maintain their current form.
However, Gundogan fears City could lose their cutting edge for the UEFA Champions League if they win the title too early.
“In my experience it’s not always good, to lose one, two, even five per cent of having that pressure, game by game,” Gundogan was quoted as saying by the Sun.
“I don’t know if it would be good to win the league that early. Obviously we want to win it and if we do, when that happens is not really in our hands.
“But you need rhythm, and to always play seriously.
“You should always try to play in a serious way. If you are able to win the league quite early, you can lose that seriousness for the Champions League, maybe.
“I don’t know if it will be a good thing, but we will accept it when it comes.”
Pep Guardiola previously won the German Bundesliga title early and his side were unable to maintain their high standards in European competition.
Man City take on FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League this week. The Citizens already have one foot firmly in the quarter-finals following their 4-0 win in the first leg.
Gundogan is available for selection ahead of the mix-week encounter. The 26-year-old has established himself as a first-team regular in Guardiola’s side this season.