It’s safe to say that Manchester City have signed quite a unique defender in Josko Gvardiol.
Not many natural centre-backs can stake a claim for arguably being the best left-back in the world.
The Croatian started 26 league games in his debut season as well.
Initially, the former RB Leipzig colossus made a few errors.
Guardiola reveals the unique strength Gvardiol has
Gvardiol got bypassed in certain one-v-one situations, with Leon Bailey and David Datro Fofana getting on the scoresheet after bursting past him.
However, the adaptation from centre-back to left-back can never be a straightforward process for any centre-back.
Eventually, the Premier League champion smoothened the edges around his game and became one of his side’s most reliable performers.
Since the start of last season, Gvardiol has outscored Gabriel Jesus in the Premier League — scoring five goals in comparison to the Arsenal striker’s tally of four.
The versatile defender surpassed Jesus’ tally after he opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.
Troy Deeney praised Gvardiol’s showing as “outstanding” and claimed that he scored a “lovely goal.”
Pep Guardiola has stated that the £200,000-a-week man has a unique eye for goal, considering he is a defender.
Guardiola told TNT Sports: “Definitely. So many times, when we arrive in the final third and all the team is there and everybody’s allowed to score a goal. And there are some defenders who have a sense of goal, don’t tell me why.”
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