Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is convinced that the ruling Premier League champions have made an “incredible investment” in Nico Gonzalez, which he compared to “Mini-Rodri” after winning 4-0 over Newcastle United.
The city put behind them disappointment on Tuesday night Champions League defeat in Real MadridWinning a big win in Newcastle in a statement for the Best Four Premier League.
Omar Marmoush stole titles, grabbing his first city goals in a style to record a hat-trick, before James McATee added a glow of what was a top team performance.
Abdukodir Khusanov was successful in dating Newcastle Alexander Isak, but it was Gonzalez’s appearance that he caught the view of his manager. Guardiola was appropriately impressed with what he saw from the 23-year-old, who joined Porto for £ 50m, but the city boss was completely surprised by the levels offered by the former Barcelona Graduate Academy.
“Nicoa’s presence helps us a lot in the 50/50,” Guardiola said. “He won seven, and we can run. If he loses seven, they would run. The club made an incredible investment for the future. He was a player in the Barcelona Academy, which is the best in the world that will teach you things like a body shape.
“[Former Porto boss Sergio] Conceicao helped him a lot to improve aggressive and smart and how to play different types of games.
“He is 23 years old, like a mini-rodri. It’s a big compliment, but he’s feeling with that presence. He wins duel. It’s far in other things because Rodri is the best.”
Gonzalez made his debut in the fight FA Cup Fourth Circle with Leyton Orient A week ago, but failed to finish the game after picking up the knock within 25 minutes.
Here he completed 100 of the 103 attempts of passage (97%), won all four ground floor duels, recovered with possession four times and transferred the ball to the last third 15 times in Newcastle – Rodri skill has been refined over the years to help in the city transition from defense to the attack in the blink of an eye.
Read the latest news about Man City, rumors of transmission and gossip
