Since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, he has suffered a reconversion in his positioning on the field
In the midst of the ‘crisis’ that Manchester City is experiencing at the moment, there is a surprising element to highlight in Pep Guardiola’s approach to a squad full of stars. Is about Josko Gvardiol, one of the ‘galacticos’ who arrived last summer at the ‘Cityzen’ team: the 90 million euros that RB Leipzig earned made it the most expensive center in history surpassing Harry Maguire (87 million), De Ligt (85) or Van Dijk (84).
And far from arriving and settling as a starter in his natural position, Guardiola has converted it. The ‘metamorphosis’ of the young 21-year-old Croatian defender is a reality that the Santpedor coach hinted at in Gvardiol’s first appearances in the Premier League and has ended up happening: Today, he is the closest thing to the starting left back of this Manchester City.
ARE YOU ADAPTING?
Although in several sections of the season we saw Nathan Ake occupying this position of full back or ‘false’ left back in a defense of three, now it seems that it is the Croatian who has taken over. And while the Dutchman seemed to adapt, Gvardiol is having a harder time. This is his heat map so far this season in the league, after 11 games played:
Josko Gvardiol’s heat map in the Premier League
| SOFASCORE
If we take a look at his positioning this season in the Premier League, You can clearly see how the Croatian moves along the entire left lane. Taking advantage of his good ball handling with his left foot, Guardiola has found in him a somewhat more defensive profile for that area, giving greater freedom to Jérémy Doku or Jack Grealish for that band.
However, Gvardiol does not quite adapt. There have been many Manchester City fans who, taking advantage of the team’s drop in performance, have accused the Croatian of not acting in his natural position. and have to make so many efforts to adapt to an area in which they are not completely comfortable. Another of the footballers is Manuel Akanjimoved from the defense to the pivot area next to Rodri.
A ‘PATCH’ TO COVER A BIG PROBLEM
Whether the new ‘bet’ on Guardiola ends up working or not, this reconversion of Gvardiol hides a deficiency that Manchester City has been suffering from in recent years. The left back, the ‘Achilles heel’ of a practically perfect team. Today, Sergio Gomez He is the only natural footballer in this position, and he is barely participating.
Since Kolarov’s departure in 2017, countless left-backs have passed through Manchester City, none of whom have managed to settle and close the debate around that area. Fabian Delph, Danilo, Zinchenko (now successful at Arsenal), Mendy, Cancelo (rehabilitated at Barça)… among many other failed projects.
Zinchenko, along with Aymeric Laporte
| AFP
Be that as it may, it seems that Guardiola will have to focus his efforts on recovering the security of a defensive line that is losing steam as the days go by. Gvardiol is suffering, but he is not the only one. A team accustomed to being a ‘wall’ has accumulated 11 goals conceded in the last 5 games. It’s time to get your act together.