Ice-cold Gvardiol already well-established as part of the Man City furniture

 

 

After losing Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez in the summer, there was a debate over whether Manchester City’s squad was stronger or weaker compared to last season. That question remains unresolved, but there is no doubt that the addition of Josko Gvardol has strengthened Pep Guardiola’s defence. 

 

The Croatia international did not come cheap. RB Leipzig dug in their heels and ended up extracting around £77m from the Premier League champions, a fee that made him the second-most expensive defender of all time behind Harry Maguire. 

 

The fee was steep but Gvardiol was the player Guardiola always wanted. Still only 21 years old, he could yet prove to be a bargain. The early signs have been positive, even though the former Leipzig man’s contributions have gone a little under the radar. 

 

That is understandable. He is certainly less eye-catching than fellow summer signing Jeremy Doku. But it is no coincidence that Gvardiol, who was the standout defensive performer at the World Cup last year, has already completed 90 minutes on nine occasions this season. The Croatian has instantly become an integral part of this City side. 

 

It is easy to see why Guardiola targeted him. Left-footed defenders are valued highly everywhere, but particularly so at a club that has taken to fielding centre-halves at full-back over the last year or so. 

 

Fellow lefties Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have been used in that way before and most of Gvardiol’s appearances this season have come at left-back. It was from that position that he delivered a particularly accomplished performance in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend. 

 

 

Gvardiol brings numerous qualities to the role. Firstly, he is not afraid to get stuck in. Of City’s defenders, only Manuel Akanji (1.9) is averaging more tackles per game than Gvardiol (1.3). Meanwhile the Croatian leads the way in the entire City squad for interceptions (1.4 per game). 

 

Gvardiol is also a gifted footballer - he would not be at the Etihad Stadium if he was not. A pass completion rate of 87.9% evidences his ability to retain possession, but Gvardiol is not always safe with his distribution. He is a progressive passer capable of breaking opposition lines with penetrative passes along the floor.  

 

Alternatively, he can switch the play with raking, pinpoint diagonals. Gvardiol has made six key passes this season - an impressive rate for a full-back who does not really overlap. Finally, the 21-year-old is comfortable carrying the ball out from the back.  

 

"I think he’s settling in very good. He’s a player with a tremendous quality, that’s easy to see," Ruben Dias said of his new defensive colleague in September. 

 

"More than that is the fact he really wants to win. He’s one more piece to join to the party. He’s settling in very well. Good easy-going guy, easy person to communicate off and on the pitch. And obviously individual qualities aside that’s one big quality to have, that easy communication especially on the pitch." 

 

The speed with which he has adapted is certainly impressive. Gvardiol has barely skipped a beat in transition to a new team, league and country. Sometimes it takes new signings a while to make an impact at City and adjust to Guardiola’s demands. Gvardiol, conversely, looks like he has been playing in this team for years.

Ice-cold Gvardiol already well-established as part of the Man City furniture